Trump declares Venezuelan airspace ‘closed in its entirety’

“To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

It is unclear whether Trump was announcing a new United States policy or highlighting the administration’s ongoing campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The United States has carried out operations in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean targeting boats allegedly transporting drugs to the US.

Last week, international airlines began canceling flights to Venezuela after the FAA advised pilots to exercise caution when flying near the country due to increased military activity, according to the Associated Press. Venezuela’s civil aviation authority responded Wednesday by revoking takeoff and landing rights from several commercial carriers, accusing them of “joining the actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States government and unilaterally suspending air commercial operations.”

The Trump administration has continued to oppose Maduro and the administration has also targeted cartel-linked drug trafficking networks originating from the country. Maduro denies involvement in drug trafficking, though the United States has accused the Cartel de los Soles of being run by the Venezuelan leader.

The United States military has flown bomber aircraft near Venezuelan airspace, and the USS Gerald Ford was recently positioned near the country. Trump has said the United States could “very soon” begin targeting drug traffickers on land.

On Thanksgiving, Trump praised the Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing for efforts to “deter Venezuelan drug traffickers,” saying “it’s about 85% stopped by sea … and we’ll be starting to stop them by land.”

“Also, the land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon,” Trump added.