The Venezuelan government has hit back at US President Donald Trump's order to close the airspace above and surrounding the country, describing the move as a 'colonialist threat' and a violation of international law. In a statement, Caracas demanded respect for its sovereignty and said it would not accept foreign orders.
Trump announced the closure on Saturday via his social media platform Truth Social, warning airlines, pilots, drug dealers and human traffickers to consider the airspace closed in its entirety. The order follows a warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week about a 'potentially hazardous situation' due to a 'worsening security situation and heightened military activity' in or around Venezuela.
In response, Venezuela has revoked operating rights for six major international airlines that had suspended flights to the country after the FAA's advisory. The Trump administration has also accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking, a charge he denies. Maduro, in power since 2013, said Trump is seeking to oust him and that Venezuelans and the military will resist any such attempt.
US military forces in the region have conducted at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September, killing at least 83 people. Trump has also authorised covert CIA operations in Venezuela and told service members that land operations to stop suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers would begin 'very soon'. The US Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment.
