US President Donald Trump has announced that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela is to be considered closed, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. In a message posted on his Truth Social account on Saturday, Trump urged all airlines, pilots, and those involved in illicit activities to heed this warning. The declaration has drawn sharp criticism from Caracas, which labeled it a “colonialist threat” and an act of “extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people.”
The announcement comes as the Trump administration increases its military presence in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier. The stated objective is to combat drug trafficking, but Venezuelan officials assert that the ultimate goal is regime change. Since early September 2023, US forces have conducted strikes against over 20 alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 individuals. Critics argue that these actions may constitute extrajudicial killings, as the US has not provided evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug trafficking or any direct threats to the United States.
As tensions rise, US fighter jets have been actively patrolling just off the Venezuelan coast, with reports of increased military activity. This includes permission granted by the Dominican Republic for the US to utilize its airport facilities, as well as recent US Marine Corps exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, a nation located mere kilometers from Venezuela.
The heightened military presence has had immediate repercussions on air travel to and from Venezuela. Last week, US aviation authorities advised civilian aircraft operating in Venezuelan airspace to “exercise caution” due to the “worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela.” This warning prompted six major airlines—including Iberia, TAP, Avianca, LATAM, GOL, and Turkish Airlines—to suspend flights, which infuriated Caracas. The Venezuelan government responded by banning these airlines for “joining the actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States government.”
In a show of defiance, Maduro has conducted military exercises and mass rallies to display strength and garner popular support. Reports indicate that Trump and Maduro spoke by phone last week, discussing a possible meeting in the United States. This conversation occurred shortly after Trump announced that efforts to combat Venezuelan drug trafficking “by land” would commence “very soon,” further escalating tensions.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides taking measures that could have broad implications for regional stability. As the US continues to assert its influence in the Caribbean, the Venezuelan government remains resolute in its stance against what it perceives to be an orchestrated effort to undermine its sovereignty.
