President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Venezuelan airspace should now be considered closed. The announcement marks a major escalation in U.S. pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s socialist regime and the drug networks tied to it.
“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,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
There was no immediate formal confirmation from U.S. Southern Command or the Department of War. However, flight-tracking data showed almost no aircraft over Venezuela on Saturday morning. Only a few private planes were visible in the region.
The FAA issued a warning last week about “potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes.” The agency said worsening security conditions and increased military activity made Venezuelan airspace dangerous. Several international carriers responded by suspending operations.
U.S. Military Pressure Intensifies
The airspace declaration comes as the United States expands its anti-trafficking operations in the Caribbean. U.S. forces have conducted more than 21 lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels since September. Over 80 alleged traffickers have been killed in those missions.
The USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in the region on Nov. 16. It is the largest aircraft carrier in the world. Nearly a dozen U.S. warships and about 12,000 troops are now supporting Operation Southern Spear.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the aggressive campaign in a blunt statement on Friday. He said the Biden administration “preferred the kid gloves approach.” He also said Biden allowed “millions of people — including dangerous cartels and unvetted Afghans — to flood our communities with drugs and violence.”
Hegseth contrasted that with Trump’s approach: “The Trump administration has sealed the border and gone on offense against narco-terrorists,” he said. “Biden coddled terrorists, we kill them.”
He said every action taken so far is lawful. He added that all operations have been approved “by the best military and civilian lawyers, up and down the chain of command.”
Earlier in the week, Trump told American troops that traffickers are shifting away from sea routes. He said U.S. forces may soon target land routes inside Venezuela. He warned smugglers to stop sending “poison” into the United States.
Trump Responds to Reporters: ‘Don’t read anything into it’
Reporters questioned Trump on Sunday about whether the airspace warning signaled an imminent strike. He dismissed the speculation. “Don’t read anything into it,” he said aboard Air Force One.
Trump called Venezuela “not a very friendly country.” He said the regime has sent criminals, gang members, and drug traffickers into the United States. He did not provide operational details. However, he said the warning should be taken seriously.
Trump Confirms Phone Call With Maduro
Trump also confirmed that he recently spoke with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He offered no specifics about the call. “I wouldn’t say it went well or badly,” he said. “It was a phone call.”
The conversation comes amid growing U.S. pressure on Maduro. Washington recently designated the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. U.S. officials say the cartel is tied directly to Maduro. They also accuse him of leading a transnational cocaine-smuggling operation. Maduro denies the allegations.
Venezuela Escalates Its Own Response
The Maduro regime has retaliated against international carriers. Venezuela revoked the operating permits of six major airlines. The government accused them of supporting “state terrorism” promoted by Washington.
The International Air Transport Association criticized the suspensions. It said the airlines acted to protect passengers and crews in a “high-risk area.”
Trump said last week that he remains open to talks with Maduro. He also said the United States is ready to take tougher measures if needed. “If we can save lives, we can do things the easy way,” he told reporters. “And if we have to do it the hard way, that’s fine, too.”