Caracas Rejects Trump’s Call to Treat Venezuelan Airspace as Closed

Venezuela has strongly pushed back against Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that its airspace should be considered completely shut. In a statement, the country’s foreign ministry described the comment as an “illegal, baseless act of aggression”, insisting that the United States has no authority to impose restrictions on another sovereign nation.

Trump’s remarks come at a tense moment. The US has launched its largest regional military presence since 1989, deploying the USS Gerald Ford and roughly 15,000 personnel. While Washington frames the move as an anti–drug trafficking operation, officials in Caracas maintain it is part of a wider effort to force President Nicolás Maduro out of office.

The former president’s threat hasn’t gone unchallenged at home either. Members of Congress from both parties have criticized Trump for bypassing constitutional checks, warning that such statements hint at military action without proper approval.

Recent alerts from the US Federal Aviation Administration about increased military activity had already prompted several airlines to stop flying certain routes. Venezuela responded by withdrawing their operating permissions entirely.

In its latest statement, Caracas called on the international community to condemn the US stance. State TV also aired footage of anti-aircraft defense drills, underscoring the country’s readiness to respond to external pressure.