Former US President Donald Trump has issued a chilling social media declaration, warning airlines and pilots to avoid the airspace above Venezuela in a move that signals potential drastic military escalation.
An Ominous Social Media Post
In an early-morning post on Truth Social, Trump directly addressed 'airlines, pilots, drug dealers and human traffickers', declaring that airspace above and around Venezuela should be considered closed. This ominous warning comes amid growing international concern about US military activities in the region and allegations of illegal orders given by his administration.
The post is being interpreted by many analysts as a clear indication that Trump is preparing to use military force against Venezuela's authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro. Such action would mark a significant departure from Trump's campaign promises, having returned to the White House pledging not to involve the US in foreign wars.
Controversial Military Strikes and Allegations
The situation has been escalating for weeks. On 11 November, a US naval strike force arrived in the Caribbean under Trump's orders. Since then, the US has conducted 19 strikes on boats in the Caribbean that it claims were Venezuelan drug vessels bound for the United States.
These operations have resulted in at least 76 confirmed deaths. The legality of these strikes is now under intense scrutiny following a Washington Post report alleging that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave an illegal order to 'kill everyone' during the first boat strike in September, including two survivors clinging to the burning vessel's hull.
Military experts have stated that without a declared war between the US and Venezuela, and with the men posing no imminent threat, killing anyone on these boats 'amounts to murder' under international law. Furthermore, Todd Huntley, a former military lawyer, confirmed that even during wartime, an order to give 'no quarter' - leaving no survivors - would constitute a war crime.
International Fallout and Denials
The controversy has already created diplomatic ripples. The UK has reportedly ceased sharing intelligence related to Venezuelan boats following the strikes, citing concerns about their legality under international law.
Meanwhile, commercial air traffic had already been avoiding the region. Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a security notice warning that Venezuelan airspace poses risks to air traffic at all altitudes due to increased military activity and GPS interference, prompting many airlines to suspend flights to Venezuela.
The Pentagon has vehemently denied the Washington Post's allegations, with Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell calling the 'entire narrative completely false'. Hegseth himself dismissed the reporting as 'fabricated, inflammatory and derogatory', while defending the strikes as 'specifically intended to be lethal, kinetic strikes' against traffickers affiliated with designated terrorist organizations.
Shortly after the controversial strike, Trump posted a 29-second video of the engagement on Truth Social, though the footage did not show the alleged second strike against survivors.
