Caracas Calls Statement a “Colonialist Threat”
Venezuela sharply criticised Donald Trump after he urged pilots and airlines to treat the country’s airspace as closed. The foreign ministry condemned his words as “another extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people”. Officials insisted the US holds no authority to restrict another nation’s airspace and said Trump issued a “colonialist threat”. Washington has strengthened its military posture near Venezuela and launched at least 21 strikes on boats it linked to drug trafficking, killing more than 80 people. The US has offered no evidence. President Nicolás Maduro argues the operations aim to remove him from office. Trump posted on Truth Social that pilots, airlines, traffickers and smugglers should “consider the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety”. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment from an international news outlet.
Lawmakers Warn Trump Over War Powers
Trump’s remarks triggered anger in Congress as Democrats and Republicans accused him of bypassing legislative authority. Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said Trump’s “reckless actions” pushed the US toward “another costly foreign war” and stressed that only Congress can declare war. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a Trump ally, repeated the same warning.
Airlines Suspend Flights Amid Rising Tension
The controversy followed a warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration about “heightened military activity” around Venezuela. Several major airlines suspended flights soon after. Caracas then revoked their take-off and landing rights. Venezuela’s foreign ministry urged the UN, global governments and multilateral organisations to condemn what it called an “immoral act of aggression”. On the same day, Venezuela’s military staged drills along the coast as state TV showed anti-aircraft systems and heavy artillery moving into position.
US Deployment Fuels Regional Concerns
The US deployed the USS Gerald Ford and around 15,000 troops near Venezuela. American officials said the move targeted drug trafficking and marked the largest US regional deployment since the 1989 Panama invasion. Trump warned that operations to stop Venezuelan drug trafficking “by land” would begin “very soon”. Venezuelan leaders believe Washington aims to topple Maduro, whose re-election last year drew widespread accusations of fraud. Colombian President Gustavo Petro claimed the US used “violence to dominate” Latin America, while other regional leaders supported Trump’s approach.
Designation of Terrorist Group Widens Rift
The US designated Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organisation and alleged Maduro leads the group. The label expands US powers to target and dismantle it. Venezuela “categorically, firmly, and absolutely” rejected the designation.
