The US President, Donald Trump, announced on Saturday that Venezuela’s airspace should be considered closed amid a growing pressure campaign against Caracas.
Trump’s announcement prompted an angry reaction from Venezuela, which accused Trump of making a “colonial threat” to undermine the country’s sovereignty.
Airspace Closed
Trump warned airlines, pilots and criminal networks to avoid the Venezuelan airspace. “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” he posted on Truth Social.
The US President has been escalating rhetoric against Venezuela’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, amid a pressure campaign involving strikes on boats smuggling narcotics through Caribbean and Pacific waters and a massive military buildup in the region.
Although the US does not have legal authority to close another country’s airspace, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned major airlines last week of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela due to increased military activity, urging them to be cautious, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Venezuela’s Pushback
The Venezuelan government responded to Trump’s statement, describing it as a “colonial threat” aimed at undermining the country’s “territorial integrity, aeronautical security and full sovereignty.”
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister added that Trump’s directive constitutes an “extravagant, illegal, and unjustified aggression against the people of Venezuela,” demanding respect for the country’s airspace and rejecting foreign threats.
He also urged “the international community, the sovereign governments of the world, the UN, and the relevant multilateral organizations to firmly reject this immoral act of aggression.”
Moreover, the Venezuelan government announced the unilateral suspension of all migrant deportation flights. Over the year, the US has deported over 13,000 Venezuelan migrants to Venezuela after negotiations between both countries.
Targeting Maduro
Since returning to office in January, Trump has been ramping up pressure against Maduro, who is facing charges of narcoterrorism in the US. The Trump administration does not consider Maduro the legitimate leader of the oil-rich country.
Last week, Trump formally designated Maduro and his government allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization called “Cartel de los Soles,” despite the Venezuelan leader’s denial of any involvement in drug trafficking, reported CNN. This designation could give the US expanded military options for striking inside Venezuela, according to the administration officials.
Amid the escalating tensions, Trump floated the idea of meeting Maduro. In the light of this, the New York Times reported on Friday that the US President spoke with his Venezuelan counterpart and discussed the possibility of holding a meeting in the US. However, the White House declined to comment on the report.
Drums of War Beating
In early September, Trump declared “war on drugs,” ordering airstrikes on boats smuggling narcotics through Caribbean and Pacific waters, authorizing the CIA to operate in Venezuela, and increasing military buildup near the Caribbean. The strikes have killed more than 80 people.
Launching “Operation Southern Spear,” the US has increased it naval presence in the region, amounting to around 15,000 American personnel and a dozen Navy vessels after the arrival of the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, to Latin American waters.
Trump also suggested imminent land operations inside Venezuela. “In recent weeks, you’ve been working to deter Venezuelan drug traffickers, of which there are many. Of course, there aren’t too many coming in by sea anymore,” he told service members on Thursday during a Thanksgiving call. “We’ll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon,” Trump added.
In response to US threats, Venezuela has ordered a “massive mobilization” of troops, weapons and equipment, in addition to conducting military exercises. Furthermore, Maduro has attempted to show strength and assure Venezuelans of victory through frequent appearances on television.
“I ask you to remain unshakeable in your composure, ready and prepared to defend our right as a nation. We are a republic in arms,” the Venezuelan leader told troops in a televised address on Thursday.
He also claimed on Monday that Venezuela is “invincible,” stating that the Americans “will not be able to defeat” his country no matter what they do.
