Caracas Denounces “Illegal Aggression”
Venezuela has condemned Donald Trump’s claim that the country’s airspace should be considered closed.
The foreign ministry called the statement “another extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people”.
Officials said the US holds no authority to close another country’s airspace and accused Trump of issuing a “colonialist threat”.
Washington has expanded its military presence near Venezuela and carried out at least 21 strikes on boats it linked to drug trafficking.
Those strikes killed more than 80 people.
The US has not presented evidence.
President Nicolás Maduro says the operations aim to remove him from power.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that airlines, pilots, traffickers and smugglers should “consider the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety”.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment from a major international broadcaster.
US Lawmakers Warn of Escalation
Trump’s remarks sparked concern in Congress.
Some Democrats and Republicans expressed anger that he avoided legislative approval.
Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said Trump’s “reckless actions” pushed the US toward “another costly foreign war”.
He stressed that only Congress can declare war.
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed that point despite her past support for Trump.
Airlines Halt Flights as Tensions Rise
Trump’s post followed a warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration about “heightened military activity” around Venezuela.
Major airlines then suspended flights.
Caracas later withdrew their take-off and landing rights.
The foreign ministry urged the UN, global governments and multilateral bodies to reject what it called an “immoral act of aggression”.
On the same day, Venezuela’s military held coastal exercises.
State TV showed anti-aircraft systems and heavy artillery moving into position.
US Deployment Sparks Regional Debate
Washington has deployed the USS Gerald Ford and around 15,000 troops near Venezuela.
US officials say the mission targets drug trafficking.
It marks the region’s largest US deployment since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
Trump said efforts to halt Venezuelan drug trafficking “by land” would begin “very soon”.
Venezuelan officials believe the goal is to unseat Maduro, whose re-election last year was widely denounced as fraudulent.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the US of using “violence to dominate” Latin America.
Other regional leaders have welcomed Trump’s stance.
Terrorist Designation Deepens Rift
The US has labelled Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organisation.
Authorities say Maduro leads the group.
The move expands US powers to target the organisation.
Venezuela “categorically, firmly, and absolutely” rejected the designation.
