US President Donald Trump has said that the airspace around Venezuela should be considered closed.
To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY, Trump stated in a social media post.
The US does not legally have the authority to close another country's airspace, but Trump's post could lead to travel uncertainty and deter airlines from operating there.
The US has been building its military presence in the Caribbean, which officials say is to combat drug smuggling. Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has dismissed US claims of drug trafficking as an attempt to oust him.
Venezuela has not yet responded to Trump's remarks. The White House did not immediately respond to reports seeking comment.
Trump's comments come days after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned airlines of heightened military activity in and around Venezuela.
Recently, Venezuela banned six major international airlines – Iberia, TAP Portugal, Gol, Latam, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines – from landing there following their failure to meet a 48-hour deadline to resume flights.
The US has deployed the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, and about 15,000 troops to within striking distance of Venezuela, stating that the deployment is to combat drug trafficking.
Trump has warned that US efforts to halt Venezuelan drug trafficking by land would begin very soon.
Despite the military activities, US forces have not provided concrete evidence regarding the alleged drug transport operations from Venezuela, which have been categorically denied by the Venezuelan government.
This ongoing conflict has significant implications for both countries, as Venezuela perceives US military actions as direct threats against its sovereignty and political stability.
