Trump Declares Venezuelan Airspace “Closed in Its Entirety”
U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced on Saturday that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela is to be considered “closed in its entirety.” The declaration — issued via a post on his social media platform Truth Social — was addressed to “all airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers,” though Trump offered no further explanation. Reuters+2The Washington Post+2
The move marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Caracas. Over recent months, the U.S. has ramped up military activity in the Caribbean Sea, including strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking. According to U.S. officials, at least 21 such strikes have occurred since early September, resulting in 83 fatalities. Reuters+2South China Morning Post+2
Trump also previously signalled that the U.S. might soon shift its focus to land-based operations targeting alleged trafficking networks inside Venezuela. Reuters+1
Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had warned airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” for flights traversing Venezuelan airspace, citing heightened military activity. Several major international carriers responded by suspending flights — a decision which prompted the Venezuelan government to revoke the operating rights of six airlines. Reuters+2The Guardian+2
So far, neither the U.S. Department of Defense nor Venezuelan authorities have offered an official response to Trump’s latest announcement. Reuters+1
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