President Donald Trump’s declaration that the airspace “above and surrounding” Venezuela should be treated as “entirely closed” has triggered a fresh wave of tension in Washington’s standoff with Nicolás Maduro. The White House offered no clarification on whether Trump was announcing a new policy or reinforcing pressure tactics, leaving the move shrouded in uncertainty. Caracas, ise calling the remarks a direct attack on its sovereignty, accused Washington of attempting to undermine the country’s territorial integrity.
Caracas Condemns ‘Colonial Threat’
Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry said Trump’s message was a “hostile, unilateral act” aimed at weakening the nation’s authority over its own airspace. The statement also noted that U.S. authorities had recently halted regular deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants after months of negotiations.
Airlines Begin Canceling Flights
International carriers have already suspended some routes to Venezuela following an FAA advisory warning pilots of increased military activity around the country. While FAA’s authority is limited outside U.S. territory, its alerts are widely heeded across global aviation.
Growing U.S. Military Presence
The U.S. has intensified pressure on Maduro with bomber flights near Venezuelan airspace and the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, marking one of the largest regional naval buildups in decades. Nearly a dozen Navy ships and about 12,000 personnel are now operating under “Operation Southern Spear.”
Congress Demands Oversight
After reports that a deadly September strike was ordered with instructions to eliminate all crew on a suspected smuggling vessel, bipartisan lawmakers called for an in-depth review of U.S. military actions in the region.
