Trump Declares Venezuelan Airspace ‘Completely Closed,’ Sparks Global Concern Over Escalation

Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning on Saturday declaring the airspace over and around Venezuela “closed in its entirety,” escalating tensions amid what he describes as a war on international drug cartels.

In a social media post directed at “airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers,” Trump claimed that flying through Venezuelan airspace should be strictly avoided. Although the former president has no legal authority to control Venezuelan airspace, such statements often influence foreign carriers and raise global aviation concerns.

This declaration comes just days after Trump hinted that the U.S. military may expand its strikes on drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean to include targets inside Venezuela. According to officials, U.S. boat strikes since September have resulted in over 80 deaths.

Impact on Global Aviation

Despite Trump’s remarks, the immediate impact on international travel may be limited.

• Currently, no direct flights operate between the U.S. and Venezuela.
• Many U.S.-bound flights from South America already avoid Venezuelan airspace.
• However, several hundred flights from other countries to Venezuela are still scheduled in December, mostly operated by smaller regional airlines.

Earlier, some foreign carriers canceled routes to Venezuela after the FAA issued a safety advisory about unstable conditions in the country.

Rising U.S. Military Pressure in the Region

The United States has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, officially to combat drug trafficking. However, U.S. officials have repeatedly hinted that their broader goal includes exerting pressure for the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, potentially even through military intervention.

Sources familiar with U.S. strategic discussions say that potential U.S. targets inside Venezuela could include:

• drug production facilities
• storage hubs linked to Colombian cartels
• cross-border trafficking infrastructure

U.S. intelligence agencies have reportedly provided the military with detailed mapping of suspected cartel-linked locations in both Venezuela and Colombia.

Political Outcry in the United States

The escalation has sparked criticism within the U.S. political system.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that Trump’s approach was increasing the risk of another foreign conflict.

“President Trump’s reckless actions towards Venezuela are pushing America closer to a costly foreign war,” Schumer said.
“Under our Constitution, Congress has the sole power to declare war, and it has not authorized military force against Venezuela.”