Rumors at the Border: What We Know—and Don’t Know—About U.S. Flights Over Mexico

By Cliff Potts, CSO, and Editor-in-Chief of WPS News
El Paso, Texas

In recent weeks, social media has been alive with claims that the United States Air Force has been flying reconnaissance missions over Mexico without authorization. Screenshots from flight-tracking apps, breathless posts about “spy planes,” and speculation tied to cartel violence have traveled fast—especially in January 2026. The problem is not that people are asking questions. The problem is that rumors are being mistaken for verified facts.

Between November 2025 and January 12, 2026, there is no confirmed evidence—none—that U.S. military aircraft violated Mexican sovereign airspace without permission. What does exist is a familiar mix of heightened tension, legitimate U.S. surveillance activity near Mexico, and a digital environment that rewards speed over accuracy.

Mexico’s government has been explicit. Defense officials, including Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, publicly stated in January 2026 that there were no foreign military aircraft operating within Mexican territory. Flights identified by online trackers were attributed to Mexico’s own security and surveillance operations. That matters. Mexico has both the radar coverage and the political incentive to call out violations when they occur.

So why do the rumors persist? Because U.S. surveillance flights do happen—just not where many assume. The United States Air Force routinely operates reconnaissance aircraft in international airspace near Mexico, particularly over the Gulf of California and along maritime approaches. These flights are legal, visible on open-source trackers, and often misinterpreted by observers who equate proximity with intrusion.

Context also matters. In late 2025, U.S. officials discussed expanding options to counter transnational cartels, including intelligence gathering and potential covert capabilities. Reports about contingency planning—widely covered by NBC News—did not describe active incursions. But in a tense climate, planning discussions are enough to ignite speculation.

There is also a practical data point that cuts against the incursion narrative. When Mexico withholds diplomatic clearance, U.S. military flights reroute. Associated Press reported on U.S. deportation flights detouring around Mexican airspace after clearance issues. That’s not the behavior of a military casually ignoring sovereignty; it’s evidence that permission still governs movement.

None of this means scrutiny should stop. On the contrary, transparency and verification are essential—especially when national sovereignty is involved. But scrutiny requires discipline. Flight-tracking apps are not proof. Viral posts are not documentation. And speculation is not reporting.

As of mid-January 2026, the responsible conclusion is simple: claims of unauthorized U.S. Air Force incursions into Mexican airspace remain unsubstantiated. If evidence emerges, it should be investigated aggressively and reported carefully. Until then, facts—not fear—deserve the right of way.

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References (APA)

Associated Press. (2026, January). U.S. military flights reroute amid Mexico airspace clearance issues.

NBC News. (2025, November). U.S. officials weigh expanded options against transnational cartels.

Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA). (2026, January). Public briefing on national airspace monitoring and foreign aircraft activity. Government of Mexico.