Tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalated on Saturday after President Donald Trump announced a full shutdown of all airspace connected to Venezuela.
In a statement posted on X, Trump addressed “all airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers,” warning them to comply with the new directive.
“Please consider the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety,” he wrote.
The Venezuelan government has yet to issue an official response.
The announcement comes amid increased US military operations targeting what officials describe as Venezuelan-linked drug trafficking networks.
In recent months, American forces have conducted multiple strikes on boats accused of smuggling narcotics, operations that have reportedly left dozens dead.
The aggressive US campaign has sparked international criticism.
UN experts have condemned the strikes as extrajudicial killings, prompting diplomatic tensions even with close allies.
The United Kingdom recently suspended intelligence sharing with Washington, saying it did not want to be “complicit in the killings” or involved in actions it viewed as exceeding the agreed scope of cooperation.
Trump had hinted earlier that Washington was preparing for a broader offensive, saying the US could “very soon” begin pursuing suspected Venezuelan traffickers on land.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro rejected the threats, insisting that his government would not be intimidated.
The dispute intensified in August when the US doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, from $25 million to $50 million, accusing him of being “one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world.”
