WASHINGTON/CARACAS – US President Donald Trump sparked confusion and anxiety on Saturday by announcing that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered “closed in its entirety,” an unprecedented move that US officials admitted they were unaware of. The declaration comes as Washington intensifies its pressure campaign against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The announcement was made via a post on Mr. Trump’s Truth Social platform:
“To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” Mr Trump wrote.
US officials, including those in Washington contacted by Reuters, expressed surprise at the statement and were not aware of any current US military operations designed to enforce an airspace closure. The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment, and the White House offered no immediate clarification.
Venezuelan Government Condemns “Colonialist Threat”
In a statement released this afternoon, the Venezuelan government forcefully condemned Mr. Trump’s comments, labeling them a “colonialist threat” against the nation’s sovereignty and fundamentally incompatible with international law.
The announcement immediately raised questions from military experts. David Deptula, a retired lieutenant general who commanded a no-fly zone over northern Iraq in the late 1990s, commented that Mr. Trump’s post “raises more questions than it answers.”
“The devil’s in the details,” Mr. Deptula said, noting that imposing a no-fly zone would require substantial resources and intricate planning, depending on its specific objectives.
Ramping Up Pressure on Maduro
The Trump administration has consistently escalated its measures against Mr. Maduro, whom it accuses of involvement in illegal drug trafficking. Mr. Maduro, in power since 2013, has vehemently denied these allegations, claiming the US seeks his ouster.
Recent reports indicate that the US has been weighing options, including attempting to overthrow the socialist president. Furthermore:
- The US military has executed a massive buildup in the Caribbean and has conducted nearly three months of strikes on suspected drug boats off Venezuela’s coast.
- Mr. Trump earlier this week told military service members that the US would “very soon” begin land operations to target suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers.
- The US President has also authorized covert CIA operations in the South American country.
Anxiety on the Ground
The ambiguous declaration caused immediate concern among Caracas residents. Manuel Romero, a cooking assistant, stated, “I think it’s unfair because people need to travel to work, to do business, to see their family, and us Venezuelans aren’t at fault for these situations.”
Carmen Castillo, a lawyer, worried that the restrictions would prevent many from visiting family abroad for the holidays. “We’re confined, here in Caracas, in Venezuela, of course it affects us,” she said.
The announcement follows a warning last week from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that major airlines faced a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela due to a “worsening security situation and heightened military activity.” In response to the FAA warning, Venezuela revoked operating rights for six major international airlines.
Mr. Maduro and his top officials have continued to denounce US imperialism on state television, though security and diplomatic sources suggest they may be attempting to de-escalate tensions by not specifically naming Mr. Trump in their recent criticisms.
