Washington : US President Donald Trump has called for the airspace above and around Venezuela to be treated as closed, creating uncertainty and concern about possible military escalation in the region. The statement was posted on his social media platform and was directed at airlines, pilots, and what he described as drug traffickers and human traffickers.
Following the message, US officials said they were not aware of any formal military action connected to the announcement. Experts noted that enforcing a no fly zone would require significant planning and military resources, and cannot be made official through a social media declaration alone.
The Venezuelan government strongly condemned the message and described it as a violation of international law and its national sovereignty. Officials in Caracas warned that the United States was increasing pressure on the country and accused Washington of attempting to destabilize the region.
In recent months, the United States has increased its military presence in the Caribbean and has carried out operations it says were aimed at drug trafficking networks linked to Venezuela. These actions included strikes against vessels the US claims were being used to transport drugs. The operations have raised concerns among neighboring countries and international observers.
Following the latest warning, several international airlines suspended flights to Venezuela as a safety precaution. Some carriers had already reduced services earlier this year after aviation authorities in the United States warned of possible risks due to rising military activity near Venezuelan airspace.
The announcement has caused confusion among civilians in Venezuela and nearby countries, especially those relying on international travel for work, education, or family reasons. There are also growing fears about how long the uncertainty might last and whether coordination between airlines and governments will improve in the coming days.
Despite the strong language used by the US president, there is still no clear indication of whether the United States intends to enforce a full airspace shutdown or if the message was meant as a political warning. Analysts say the situation may develop further depending on diplomatic discussions, regional reactions, and future decisions by the White House.
The situation continues to be monitored by international aviation bodies, governments, and global security experts as the region waits for clearer guidance or policy details from Washington.