In a dramatic escalation of pressure on the South American nation, former US President Donald Trump has unilaterally declared the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be completely closed.
The Social Media Declaration
The announcement came via a post on Mr Trump's Truth Social platform on Saturday. In a characteristically direct message, he stated: "To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY."
This proclamation follows a significant development from the previous week, when the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a formal alert to major airlines. The FAA warned of a "worsening security situation and heightened military activity" in Venezuelan airspace, describing it as a "potentially hazardous situation" for commercial flights.
Venezuela's Retaliatory Action
In a move that signals the rapidly deteriorating situation, the Venezuelan government has already taken retaliatory measures. Authorities in Caracas have revoked the operating rights for six major international airlines. This decision came directly after these carriers suspended their flights to the country, a move prompted by the initial FAA security warning.
The situation creates a complex and volatile scenario for international aviation, with a former US president making a bold declaration and a national government reacting against commercial airlines caught in the middle of a geopolitical standoff.
Broader Implications for Regional Security
This development marks a significant intensification in the long-standing tensions between the United States and Venezuela. The specific targeting of "Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers" in Mr Trump's statement suggests the airspace closure is framed, at least in part, as a national security and anti-crime measure.
For airlines and pilots, the conflicting directives and the underlying "worsening security situation" create immediate operational challenges and safety concerns, potentially disrupting travel and cargo routes throughout the Caribbean and northern South America.
