UPDATE: The Venezuelan government has swiftly condemned President Trump’s Saturday statement calling for a complete closure of airspace above Venezuela, labeling it a “colonialist threat.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged, “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.”
This provocative statement challenges Venezuela’s sovereignty and violates international law, according to an official government statement released Sunday. “No authority outside the Venezuelan institutional framework has the power to interfere with, block, or condition the use of international airspace,” the statement asserted.
As of Sunday afternoon, data from Flightradar24 confirms that commercial flights are still operating in Venezuelan airspace, underscoring the ongoing tension. This development follows an announcement from the Senate and House Armed Services committees indicating an investigation into the Pentagon’s military actions in the Caribbean.
The Washington Post recently reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the targeting of crew members aboard a boat suspected of drug smuggling in September. Confirmed by NPR, the military has executed at least 21 strikes, resulting in 82 fatalities as part of “Operation Southern Spear,” a campaign aimed at combating drug trafficking.
Venezuela characterized Trump’s remarks as an “explicit use of force,” invoking Article 2, paragraph 4 of the U.N. Charter which prohibits such actions. Critics, including Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, voiced concerns that the military’s actions could be construed as a “war crime.” Van Hollen stated, “They’ve never presented the public with the information they’ve got here… it could be worse than that, right? If that theory is wrong, then it’s plain murder.”
Meanwhile, Republican Senator Eric Schmitt, a member of the Armed Services Committee, defended Trump’s stance on Fox News, asserting that the President is acting “well within his Article 2 powers” to address drug smuggling by targeting these vessels. Schmitt emphasized a dual strategy to eliminate drug precursors from China and dismantle the cartels supplying drugs to the U.S.
Bipartisan frustration is palpable, with both sides criticizing the Trump administration’s unilateral military actions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer remarked on X, “Trump’s reckless actions towards Venezuela are pushing America closer and closer to another costly foreign war.” Former Trump ally, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, reminded her followers that “Congress has the sole power to declare war.”
As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely. Trump’s declaration and Venezuela’s fiery condemnation highlight a critical moment in U.S.-Venezuelan relations. With investigations underway and military operations ongoing, the implications of these actions may reverberate far beyond the borders of Venezuela.
What happens next? Analysts point to potential shifts in international air travel and military strategy as both nations navigate this fraught escalation. Stay tuned for the latest developments in this rapidly evolving situation.
