Advanced Pentagon laser weapon shot down party balloons instead of drone by mistake, says report — airport shut down after Customs and Border Protection mistakenly believed it was targeting Mexican cartel drones

A Pentagon laser weapon system, intended to target Mexican cartel drones, mistakenly shot down party balloons near the U.S.-Mexico border. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) disregarded FAA warnings, leading to the closure of airspace and flight delays. The incident caused chaos and surprise among officials at the White House, Pentagon, and Department of Homeland Security. The FAA eventually shortened the airspace closure after the CBP finished targeting the balloons. The event highlights communication issues between government agencies, prompting calls for better coordination.