US President Donald Trump issued a statement via social media asserting that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered closed. The message specifically addressed "Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers.
Legally, the United States does not possess the authority to close another sovereign nation's airspace. Trump's declaration has the potential to introduce uncertainty for air travel and may influence airlines' operational decisions in the region.
The United States has been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean, stating that the objective is to combat drug smuggling. Venezuela's President, Nicolás Maduro, has previously dismissed US allegations of drug trafficking, characterizing them as efforts to oust him from power.
Venezuela has not yet provided a response to President Trump's recent remarks. The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the statement.
This announcement follows a prior advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which cautioned airlines about "heightened military activity in and around Venezuela." Additionally, Venezuela recently barred six major international airlines—Iberia, TAP Portugal, Gol, Latam, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines—from landing after they failed to meet a 48-hour deadline to restart flights.