Trump Declares Venezuelan Airspace Closed Amid Rising Tensions

Fri Dec 05 2025 14:43:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that airspace around Venezuela should be considered closed, escalating the ongoing tensions between the two nations.

In a recent social media post, President Trump stated that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela is closed to airlines and other operators. This declaration comes amidst heightened U.S. military activity in the Caribbean aimed at combating drug trafficking, although the legality of such a closure is questionable. As tensions rise, the U.S. military continues to bolster its presence in the region, while the Venezuelan government dismisses Trump's assertions as efforts to undermine President Maduro.

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 on social media.

While the US does not legally have the authority to close another country's airspace, Trump's declaration could lead to travel uncertainties and may deter airlines from operating in that region.

The US has been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean, claiming it is a measure to combat drug smuggling. However, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has rejected these allegations, suggesting they are a pretext for U.S. intervention.

No official response has yet been issued by Venezuela regarding Trump's remarks, and the White House has not commented on the situation. Trump’s statement coincides with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s warning about heightened military activity in and around Venezuela.

In response to the escalating tensions, Venezuela recently banned six major international airlines from landing after they failed to comply with orders regarding flights.

The US has deployed the USS Gerald Ford, the largest American aircraft carrier, and around 15,000 troops to the region, asserting that this deployment is aimed at combatting drug trafficking. Trump praised the heightened efforts, warning that operations to halt drug trafficking would commence soon.

The Venezuelan government contends that the US aims to unseat Maduro, whose re-election was criticized as corrupt by many observers. Additionally, the US has labeled a group associated with Maduro as a foreign terrorist organization, granting unprecedented powers to US agencies targeting the group.