Donald Trump has announced the complete closure of the airspace over and around Venezuela amid escalating concerns of potential armed conflict.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump directed a message to airlines, pilots, drug traffickers, and human traffickers, declaring that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela is now off-limits.
Initial reports suggest that the airspace closure has been effective, as there has been minimal air traffic over Venezuela, including no flights over Caracas as of 12:15 pm local time. Venezuela has not yet responded to this action.
There is a growing apprehension that Trump may utilize the US military presence in the region, which includes a substantial deployment of troops, a nuclear submarine, and a fleet of warships accompanying the USS Gerald R Ford, to potentially launch an operation against Venezuela with the aim of removing President Nicolas Maduro from power.
This recent announcement by Trump follows a prior warning issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to major airlines regarding the risks of flying over Venezuela due to heightened military activities and deteriorating security conditions in the region.
Venezuela’s civil aviation authority announced the revocation of flight permits for several airlines, including Spain’s Iberia, Portugal’s TAP, Colombia’s Avianca, Chile’s LATAM, Brazil’s Gol, and Turkish Airlines. The decision was made in response to these airlines allegedly supporting what Venezuela views as “state-sponsored terrorism” instigated by the US government.
Tensions between the US and Venezuela have escalated, coinciding with the military buildup near South America and a series of US military strikes targeting vessels in international waters off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 individuals.
The US has accused the targeted boats of being involved in drug trafficking, while critics, including Latin American leaders, international legal experts, family members of the deceased, and some US lawmakers, have condemned these actions as extrajudicial killings, asserting that most of the casualties were innocent fishermen.
Accusations have been exchanged between the US and Maduro’s administration, with the US alleging Maduro’s involvement in drug trafficking and Maduro accusing the US government of fabricating a pretext for prolonged hostility against him.
Maduro has criticized the US for what he perceives as an escalation of false justifications aimed at legitimizing potential interference in Venezuela.
