U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Friday that airspace “above and surrounding Venezuela” must be considered closed. He issued the declaration on his Truth Social account, but gave no further details as Washington ramps up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
“To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” Trump wrote. “Thanks on your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The comment comes because the Trump administration has intensified military operations within the Caribbean as a part of what they call an expanded campaign to focus on the smuggling of medicine into the US.
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Last week, the U.S. aviation regulator warned major airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela because of a “worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around” the South American country.
Despite the president’s statement, no official U.S. directive has closed Venezuelan airspace, and international airways remain open under standard aviation rules.
The FAA continues to warn pilots about hazards stemming from increased military activity, and most industrial airlines have been avoiding Venezuelan airspace for years because of security risks.
U.S. forces have carried out nearly two dozen airstrikes on suspected smuggling boats in recent months, killing a minimum of 82 people. The Pentagon has deployed the usGerald R. Ford carrier group to the region as well.
Trump has hinted at further land-based actions targeting traffickers he says are sending drugs to the US.
Venezuela has denied any state role in trafficking and accused Washington of using narcotics enforcement as a political pretext.
The White House didn’t make clear whether Trump’s post reflects an upcoming policy change or a message intended as a deterrent to traffickers.
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