In a move that has sparked international confusion, former President Donald Trump has declared that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be viewed as 'closed in its entirety.'
The announcement was made on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, 29th November, and appears to be part of the ongoing US pressure campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Unclear Intentions and Military Buildup
The White House did not clarify whether Trump's statement constituted a new formal policy or was merely a reinforcement of existing messaging. This ambiguity comes amidst a significant buildup of US naval forces in the region, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, America's most advanced aircraft carrier.
The military mission, dubbed 'Operation Southern Spear,' now includes nearly a dozen Navy ships and approximately 12,000 sailors and Marines, representing the largest concentration of US firepower in the Caribbean in generations.
Impact on Aviation and Regional Security
Trump's message was directed at 'Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers.' In a related development, international airlines had already begun cancelling flights to Venezuela last week following a cautionary notice from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA warned pilots of heightened military activity, though its jurisdiction is typically limited to the US and its territories. Both the FAA and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday.
The US administration has actively sought to increase pressure on Maduro, whom it does not recognise as Venezuela's legitimate leader. He faces narcoterrorism charges in the US. Since early September, US strikes on small boats accused of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific have resulted in the deaths of more than 80 people.
Diplomatic Overtures and Covert Options
Despite the aggressive posturing, Trump's team has reportedly weighed a range of options, from military action to covert operations by the CIA. Intriguingly, Trump has also publicly floated the idea of dialogue with Maduro.
This follows a report by The New York Times on Friday suggesting that the two leaders had already spoken, though the White House declined to answer questions about any such conversation.
