Venezuela strongly criticised US President Donald Trump for telling airlines to treat Venezuelan airspace as closed. The Venezuelan government described the statement as a “colonialist threat”. In a formal reply, the Foreign Ministry said the warning aimed to weaken Venezuela’s control over its own skies. It also called the move an “extravagant, illegal and unjustified” act of aggression against the Venezuelan people.

At the same time, officials warned that any interference in airspace could disrupt repatriation flights. These flights are used to bring Venezuelan migrants back from the United States. Therefore, the ministry said Trump’s comments could directly harm ordinary citizens.

Trump issues public message

Trump shared his warning on his Truth Social platform. He wrote, “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.” He did not give any further explanation or legal basis for the statement.

Meanwhile, his administration increased pressure on Venezuela. It sent large military forces into the Caribbean region. This included the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier.

Flights reduce as tension rises

Earlier, US aviation authorities advised airlines to be extra careful when flying near Venezuelan territory. As a result, several major airlines suspended their services over the area. By mid-afternoon on Saturday, tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed only a few aircraft flying above Venezuela.

Air tension continued to rise. The United States claimed its actions target drug trafficking routes. However, Venezuelan officials argued that the real goal is to push for regime change.

Since early September, US forces have carried out strikes against more than 20 vessels. These ships were suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. These attacks have led to at least 83 deaths.

So far, Washington has not provided any proof that the targeted vessels carried drugs or posed a threat to the United States.

More military activity near Venezuelan coast

In addition, Trump warned earlier this week that efforts to stop Venezuelan drug trafficking “by land” would begin “very soon”. Over the past few days, aircraft tracking sites have recorded repeated movements of US military planes just a few dozen kilometres from Venezuela’s coastline. This has added to fears of further escalation.