United States President Donald Trump said Venezuela’s airspace should be considered “closed in its entirety” by airlines. The statement was given to Truth Social, a social network created by Trump himself. “The airspace above and around Venezuela is closed in its entirety,” he posted and extended the warning to drug and human traffickers.
According to Reuters, US officials were surprised by Trump’s announcement and were not aware of any ongoing US military operations to enforce the closure of Venezuelan airspace.
Hours later, the Venezuelan government issued a statement condemning Trump’s statement. In a statement, he classified Trump’s comments as a “colonialist threat” against the country’s sovereignty and incompatible with international law. He called Trump’s attitude “illegal and unjustified” against the people of Venezuela.
“This type of declaration constitutes a hostile, unilateral and arbitrary act, incompatible with the most elementary principles of International Law and which is part of a permanent policy of aggression against our country, with colonial claims over our region of Latin America and the Caribbean, denying International Law,” stated the Venezuelan government.
Trump’s escalation in actions and speeches against President Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuela has brought new episodes in recent months. The United States has already positioned warships in the Caribbean Sea, close to the South American country, under the pretext of combating international drug trafficking. They have already shot down small boats and caused deaths.
About two weeks ago, Trump said he could start talks with Madurobut did not give details. Last Friday (28), however, stated that he may order ground actions against the drug traffickers he claims to fight. In response, Maduro asked members of the Air Force to be “alert, ready and willing” to defend Venezuela’s rights.
* With information from Reuters Agency
** Article updated at 7:14 pm with additional information about Venezuela’s response.
