Venezuela has charged US President Donald Trump with issuing a “colonialist threat” following his declaration that the airspace surrounding the nation ought to be seen as closed.
The Venezuelan foreign ministry referred to Trump’s remarks as “another extravagant, unlawful, and unwarranted aggression against the Venezuelan populace.”
Legally, the US does not possess the power to close the airspace of another nation; however, Trump’s social media statement could create travel uncertainties and discourage airlines from operating in the area.
The US has been enhancing its military forces in the Caribbean, with officials claiming this is aimed at fighting drug trafficking. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has dismissed US assertions regarding drug smuggling as a ploy to remove him from power.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Traffickers, and Human Traffickers, please regard THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA AS COMPLETELY CLOSED.”
The White House did not provide an immediate response to the BBC’s inquiry for a statement.
As Trump escalates his threats, both Democrat and Republican leaders in the US Congress have expressed frustration over his failure to seek legislative consent.
“President Trump’s reckless behavior towards Venezuela is edging America closer to yet another expensive foreign conflict,” leading Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer remarked on X on Sunday.
“According to our Constitution, Congress holds the exclusive power to declare war,” he added.
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was a close ally of Trump until recently, noted: “Just a reminder, Congress has the exclusive power to declare war.”
Trump’s statements follow a warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to airlines about “increased military activity in and around Venezuela.”
In a Saturday statement, Venezuela’s foreign ministry alleged that the US had “unilaterally suspended” its weekly flights for migrant repatriation.
“We directly urge the international community, sovereign governments of the world, the UN, and pertinent multilateral organizations to firmly oppose this immoral act of aggression,” it stated.
Additionally, on Saturday, the Venezuelan military conducted drills near coastal regions, with state television broadcasting the movement of anti-aircraft weapons and other artillery.
On Wednesday, Venezuela prohibited six major international airlines – Iberia, TAP Portugal, Gol, Latam, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines – from landing after they failed to adhere to a 48-hour ultimatum to recommence flights.
The US has sent the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, along with approximately 15,000 troops, to a position within striking range of Venezuela.
Officials have asserted that this deployment – the largest by the US in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama – is directed at combating drug trafficking.
On Thursday, Trump cautioned that US operations to curb Venezuelan drug trafficking “by land” would commence “very soon.”
US forces reportedly have executed at least 21 strikes on vessels they allege were transporting drugs, resulting in the death of over 80 individuals. Nevertheless, the US has not provided proof that the boats were indeed carrying drugs.
The Venezuelan administration perceives US actions as an attempt to overthrow Maduro, whose re-election last year was condemned by the Venezuelan opposition and many international bodies as fraudulent.
The US has also classified Cartel de los Soles, or Cartel of the Suns – a group it claims is led by Maduro – as a foreign terrorist organization.
Labeling an organization as a terrorist group grants US law enforcement and military entities expanded authority to target and dismantle it.
Venezuela’s foreign ministry has “categorically, firmly, and absolutely rejected” this designation.
Venezuela’s interior and justice minister Diosdado Cabello, who is reportedly a high-ranking member of the cartel, has long dismissed it as an “invention”.
The US state department has maintained that the Cartel de los Soles not only exists but has also “corrupted Venezuela’s military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary”.
