In a recent statement, Venezuela's foreign ministry has accused US President Donald Trump of issuing a colonialist threat following his remarks suggesting that the airspace surrounding Venezuela should be deemed closed. This reaction comes in response to Trump's social media post, which Venezuela characterized as yet another instance of "extravagant, illegal, and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people."
Despite Trump's claims, the United States does not possess the legal authority to unilaterally close another country's airspace. However, his statements may create travel uncertainty and deter airlines from operating in Venezuelan airspace. This comes at a time when the US has been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean, a move officials claim is aimed at combating drug smuggling.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has dismissed US accusations of drug trafficking as a facade to justify efforts to oust him from power. In a controversial post on Truth Social, Trump advised: "To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY."
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding Trump's statements. These remarks follow a warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which alerted airlines to increased military activity in and around Venezuela. The Venezuelan foreign ministry criticized the US for unilaterally suspending its weekly migrant repatriation flights, calling upon the international community and multilateral organizations to condemn this "immoral act of aggression."
In a significant escalation, Venezuela has imposed a ban on six major international airlines—including Iberia, TAP Portugal, Gol, Latam, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines—after these carriers failed to resume flights within a stipulated 48-hour period.
The United States has deployed the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, along with approximately 15,000 troops, to the vicinity of Venezuela. This deployment marks the most substantial US military presence in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama, and the US maintains that this action is primarily focused on combating drug trafficking.
On Thursday, Trump warned that US operations aimed at halting Venezuelan drug trafficking by land would commence "very soon." US military forces have reportedly conducted at least 21 strikes against vessels they allege were involved in drug transportation, resulting in over 80 fatalities. However, the US has yet to provide concrete evidence linking these boats to drug trafficking.
The Venezuelan government perceives these US military actions as part of a broader strategy to unseat Maduro, whose re-election last year was widely criticized by both domestic opposition and foreign nations as fraudulent. The US has designated the Cartel de los Soles—a group allegedly led by Maduro—as a foreign terrorist organization, granting US law enforcement and military agencies enhanced powers to target its members.
Venezuela's foreign ministry has categorically rejected this designation, while Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's interior and justice minister and a figure alleged to be a leader within the cartel, has dismissed the claims as a fabrication. The US State Department maintains that the Cartel de los Soles exists and has corrupted various branches of Venezuela's government, including its military and judiciary.
This ongoing conflict between Venezuela and the United States highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region, as both nations continue to clash over issues of sovereignty, drug trafficking, and political legitimacy.