“Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated on his social media platform ‘Truth Social’ on the 29th that he was addressing ‘all airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers,’ advising them to ‘consider the entire airspace over and around Venezuela as closed.’ This followed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issuing an advisory on the 21st due to ‘worsening security situations and increased military activity,’ cautioning airlines flying over Venezuelan airspace. The latest advisory is seen as preparatory groundwork for potential ground military operations, particularly with the recent deployment of the US Navy’s latest aircraft carrier, the ‘Gerald Ford’ Carrier Strike Group, to the Caribbean Sea.
While Trump did not provide specific details regarding his statement, he indicated during a Thanksgiving video call with US military personnel stationed worldwide on the 27th that efforts would soon be made to block drug smugglers from Venezuela not only at sea but also on land. The Washington Post reported that ‘airspace closure is often a preliminary measure before military airstrikes,’ suggesting this move could significantly impact the Venezuelan public and economy. If enforced as a no-fly zone, substantial resources and a major operation would be required. Reuters noted that US government officials were stunned by Trump’s announcement and were unaware of any military operations for closing the airspace.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry criticized Trump’s announcement as a ‘colonial threat attempting to infringe upon Venezuelan airspace sovereignty,’ labeling it as another ‘excessive, illegal, and unjustified attack on the Venezuelan people.’ Since September, Trump has markedly increased military presence near Venezuelan waters to curtail drug trafficking, including attacks on vessels suspected of drug transport. Reports suggest that under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s orders, even surviving crew of the drug vessels are being killed. There are speculations that Trump might use this as an opportunity to attempt to oust President Nicolás Maduro, which Venezuela perceives as a regime-change effort and has strongly opposed. Amid these tensions, the New York Times reported, citing multiple sources, that Trump and Maduro discussed the possibility of a summit during a phone call last week.”