Trump Declares Venezuelan Airspace ‘Completely Closed’ as Regional Tensions Escalate

US President Donald Trump on Saturday, November 29, issued a stark warning that Venezuelan airspace should now be regarded as fully closed, amplifying tensions between Washington and the government of Nicolás Maduro.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump directed his message at “Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers,” urging them to “consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.” He provided no additional details.

The warning comes amid a major US military buildup in the Caribbean, featuring the world’s largest aircraft carrier. While Washington says the deployment is aimed at combating drug trafficking, Caracas accuses the US of seeking regime change.

Since early September, US forces have targeted more than 20 alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, resulting in over 80 deaths. The US has yet to release evidence showing the boats were involved in narcotics operations or posed any threat.

The heightened military activity has intensified regional concerns. Last week, US aviation authorities advised civilian aircraft to “exercise caution” when flying over Venezuela due to the “worsening security situation.” The alert prompted six major international carriers Iberia, TAP, Avianca, LATAM, GOL and Turkish Airlines to suspend flights to the country.

Venezuela responded by banning the airlines and accusing them of participating in “state terrorism promoted by the United States government.”

The New York Times reported on Friday that Trump and Maduro had spoken by phone in the previous week and had even discussed a possible meeting in the US. The revelation came a day after Trump hinted that efforts to stop drug trafficking from Venezuela by land were imminent adding further strain to an already volatile standoff.