The United States has escalated tensions with Venezuela. President Donald Trump declared the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela "closed in its entirety." He issued the warning on his Truth Social network. Venezuela's government immediately condemned the statement as a "colonialist threat."
This move is part of a broader US counter-narcotics effort. The Trump administration alleges the government of President Nicolas Maduro leads drug trafficking operations. According to Reuters, the US has recently increased military presence in the Caribbean.
President Trump's social media post was direct. He addressed "Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers." The warning left little room for misinterpretation. The US officially labels Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization.
This designation provides the legal basis for US actions. American officials claim the cartel operates under state protection. Venezuela strongly denies these allegations. It calls the claims a pretext for intervention.
Several major airlines had already suspended services. This followed an earlier US aviation advisory about rising tensions. The situation is creating significant disruptions for regional travel.
Venezuela's foreign ministry issued a swift response. It described Trump's comments as "extravagant, illegal, and unjustified aggression." The statement emphasized the impact on the Venezuelan people. It also warned that repatriation flights for migrants would be halted.
In a show of force, Venezuela's military conducted coastal drills. State television broadcast the movements. The footage showed anti-aircraft weapons and other artillery being deployed. This was reported by AFP.
The Maduro government also retaliated against the airlines that suspended flights. It banned them for "joining the actions of state terrorism." The diplomatic row is intensifying rapidly.
President Trump has hinted at further action. He said efforts to stop drug trafficking "by land" would begin "very soon." However, he has not explicitly threatened military force to remove Maduro.