U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that the airspace in and around Venezuela should be completely closed, escalating tensions with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The White House remained silent on Trump’s statement made on his Truth Social platform, leaving uncertainty about whether it signaled a new policy or reinforced his ongoing campaign against Maduro. This campaign has involved multiple strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean targeting small boats suspected of drug trafficking and an increased naval presence in the region, resulting in over 80 casualties since early September.
In his address, the Republican president directed his call for an aerial blockade to “Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers” rather than directly to Maduro. In response, Venezuela’s government denounced Trump’s assertion, labeling it a “colonial threat” aimed at undermining the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and aeronautical security.
Additionally, the U.S. immigration authorities unilaterally halted biweekly deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants, following negotiations between the two governments. Over 13,000 Venezuelans have been deported to Venezuela this year through chartered flights, with the latest arrival recorded late Friday in Caracas. International airlines began canceling flights to Venezuela last week after the Federal Aviation Administration warned pilots to be cautious due to increased military activity.
The FAA’s advisory, although its jurisdiction is mainly within the U.S. and its territories, is a routine practice to alert pilots about flying over areas of conflict or military operations globally. The FAA collaborates with international bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization on such matters. Trump’s administration has been intensifying pressure on Maduro, considering him illegitimate and facing charges of narcoterrorism in the U.S.
U.S. military actions near Venezuela have included bomber flights and the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the most advanced U.S. aircraft carrier, to the region. This deployment constitutes the largest U.S. military buildup in the area in decades, comprising nearly a dozen Navy ships and around 12,000 sailors and Marines as part of “Operation Southern Spear.” Calls for increased oversight on military strikes in the region have emerged following reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of all crew members during a September 2 attack on suspected drug smugglers.
Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, chair and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed their commitment to thorough oversight of the situation. Trump’s administration has been exploring both military and non-military options with Venezuela, including potential covert actions by the CIA. Despite speculations, Trump has hinted at a possible dialogue with Maduro, with reports indicating a recent conversation between the two leaders. The White House declined to comment on the reported discussion.
