Venezuela Denounces Trump's Threat to Close Its Airspace

Tue Dec 02 2025 07:22:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a heated escalation, Venezuela has condemned President Trump's recent declaration regarding the closure of its airspace, emphasizing sovereignty and challenging U.S. military presence in the region.

Venezuela's foreign ministry has issued a strong condemnation of U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to close the airspace over Venezuela. The declaration was termed an illegal and colonialist act, further escalating tensions as the U.S. ramps up its military presence in the area. Both parties are now facing scrutiny from their respective legislative bodies about the implications of such actions and the potential for conflict.

Venezuela has condemned US President Donald Trump's statement that the airspace around the country should be considered closed.

The country's foreign ministry called Trump's comments another extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people.

The US does not have legal authority to close another country's airspace and the Venezuelan statement accused Trump of making a colonialist threat.

The US has built its military presence in the area and carried out at least 21 strikes on boats it says were carrying drugs, killing more than 80. It has not provided evidence and Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro claims the US moves are an attempt to oust him.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.

The White House did not immediately respond to BBC's requests for comment.

Some members of Congress expressed anger that Trump has not sought legislative approval for such measures. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer criticized Trump’s actions as reckless, warning that they could lead to another costly foreign war.

Trump's comments came just days after the FAA cautioned airlines of heightened military activity around Venezuela, resulting in several airlines suspending flights.

In response, Venezuela's foreign ministry urged the international community to reject Trump's aggression and announced military exercises along its coast involving anti-aircraft weapons.

The US has deployed the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier and about 15,000 troops to the region, framing the military build-up as necessary to combat drug trafficking.

Venezuela has categorically rejected the US designation of a group allegedly headed by Maduro as a terrorist organization, arguing that the designation gives the US broader powers to conduct military actions.