Venezuela has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s recent directive to treat its airspace as fully closed, calling it a “colonial threat” and a violation of international law. The announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas and follows an increase in US anti-drug operations in the region.

Trump’s Airspace Declaration

On Saturday, Trump posted on his Truth Social account: “All airlines, pilots, drug traffickers, and human smugglers… assume that Venezuela’s airspace, and the airspace around it, is fully closed.” While the message raised concerns about potential US military actions, Trump clarified that it was aimed at controlling illicit activity rather than directly confronting President Maduro.

The White House did not clarify whether this represented a formal policy change or was intended to reinforce ongoing anti-drug operations, which have involved strikes on small vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, as well as naval deployments.

Venezuela’s Response

The Venezuelan government sharply rejected Trump’s statement, calling it a “colonial threat” that undermines the country’s territorial integrity, aviation security, and full sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry described the announcement as “hostile, unilateral, and arbitrary,” emphasizing that Venezuela will not accept commands or threats from foreign powers.

Officials also reported that deportation flights conducted by US immigration authorities, which typically occur biweekly for Venezuelan nationals, have been suspended unilaterally following the announcement.

Impact on International Aviation

International airlines began canceling flights to Venezuela last week after the Federal Aviation Administration issued warnings to pilots about increased US military activity in the region. These measures disrupted normal operations, highlighting the broader consequences of heightened US-Venezuelan tensions.

The Venezuelan government stressed that despite the warning, regular civilian air traffic and flight safety must be respected, reiterating that foreign interference will not be tolerated.

Deportation Flights and Migrant Impact

Since the beginning of the year, more than 13,000 Venezuelans have been deported via charter flights following bilateral arrangements, with the most recent flight landing in Caracas late last Friday. The suspension of these operations adds further strain to migration and humanitarian considerations amid the escalating diplomatic conflict.