Venezuela condemns Trump’s airspace closure declaration as ‘colonialist threat’

Venezuela condemns Trump's airspace closure declaration as 'colonialist threat'

Venezuela's government has fiercely denounced a statement by former US President Donald Trump declaring the country's airspace closed, calling it an "extravagant, illegal, and unjustified aggression" and a "colonialist threat." The US lacks legal authority to impose such restrictions, Caracas officials argued in a Saturday statement.

Trump's warning and military buildup

Trump issued the declaration via Truth Social, addressing airlines, pilots, drug traffickers, and human smugglers: "Please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY." The move follows weeks of escalating US military activity near Venezuela, including 21 airstrikes targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels-killing over 80 people, according to US claims. No evidence has been publicly provided.

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has repeatedly accused Washington of seeking his removal, framing the strikes as part of a broader campaign to destabilize his government. The US deployment-including the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier and 15,000 troops-marks the largest regional military presence since the 1989 Panama invasion, officially justified as anti-drug operations.

Congressional backlash and constitutional concerns

Trump's unilateral actions have drawn bipartisan criticism in Congress. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned on X that the measures risked "pushing America closer to another costly foreign war," emphasizing that war declarations require legislative approval. Even staunch Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) echoed the point, posting: "Reminder, Congress has the sole power to declare war."

Regional and international reactions

Venezuela's foreign ministry urged global leaders, the UN, and multilateral organizations to reject what it termed an "immoral act of aggression." The statement coincided with Venezuelan military drills along coastal areas, with state media broadcasting anti-aircraft weapon deployments.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a leftist ally of Maduro, accused the US of using "violence to dominate" Latin America. Meanwhile, other regional leaders have supported Trump's stance. The US recently designated Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles-allegedly led by Maduro-as a foreign terrorist organization, expanding legal tools to target it. Caracas has "categorically rejected" the label.

Flight disruptions and economic fallout

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had earlier warned airlines of "heightened military activity" near Venezuela, prompting several carriers to suspend routes. In retaliation, Caracas revoked their landing rights, further isolating the country's aviation sector.

"The international community must firmly reject this immoral act of aggression against the Venezuelan people."

Venezuela's Foreign Ministry, Saturday statement