US President Donald Trump announced the complete closure of Venezuelan airspace. Venezuelan officials called Trump's statement another "excessive, illegal, and baseless aggression against the Venezuelan people."
Since October, the United States has been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean region, claiming it is fighting against drug trafficking. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro denies these claims and considers the ongoing actions an attempt to remove him from power.
"All airlines, pilots, those involved in drug trafficking, and those involved in human trafficking, please be advised that Venezuela and its surrounding airspace are completely and fully closed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" the US President wrote on Saturday on the TruthSocial social media platform.
"Venezuela firmly rejects the statement by the US President, announced on social networks today, which attempts to apply US illegal jurisdiction in Venezuela in an extraterritorial manner," responded the Venezuelan MFA.
Since the beginning of September, the United States has struck more than 20 vessels suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing at least 83 people.
US aviation regulators had previously called on airlines to exercise caution near Venezuela due to increased violence, which led to major carriers suspending flights.
Subsequently, Caracas banned six airlines - Iberia, TAP, Gol, Latam, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines - from landing in its territory for failing to meet a 48-hour deadline to resume flights.
The United States is actively increasing its military presence near the Venezuelan coast. The Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, a nuclear submarine, marines, and other combat forces have been sent to the region.
