Trump declares Venezuelan airspace closed amid escalating anti-drug operations
U.S. President Donald Trump declared Saturday that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered closed, despite the U.S. lacking legal authority to do so.
November 29, 2025 - 01:31 PM ET • 2 min read
U.S. President Donald Trump declared Saturday that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered closed in its entirety, escalating tensions related to U.S. anti-drug operations in the Caribbean.
In a post directed "To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers" on a social media platform, the president wrote that the airspace "ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA" should be considered "CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY."
The declaration comes amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the region, which the administration has characterized as a war against drug cartels. However, the U.S. does not legally possess the authority to close the airspace of another sovereign nation. Officials said the post could nonetheless lead to travel uncertainty and deter commercial airlines from operating in the area.
The warning follows recent statements by President Trump that the U.S. military operations, currently focused on maritime interdiction, could soon expand to targets inside Venezuela. On Thursday, Mr. Trump warned that the U.S. could "very soon" expand its attacks on boats thought to be carrying drugs in the waters off Venezuela to targets inside the country itself.
U.S. strikes against alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean have been underway for months. Since early September, U.S. boat strikes have resulted in the deaths of more than 80 people, according to authorities. The Trump administration has also authorized covert CIA operations within Venezuela.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking, a charge Mr. Maduro has repeatedly dismissed, characterizing the U.S. claims as an attempt to oust him.
The airspace declaration follows recent warnings issued by U.S. aviation regulators. Days prior to the president's statement, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned major airlines of a "potentially hazardous situation" when flying over Venezuela due to a "worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around" the country.
In response to the FAA warning, Venezuela banned six major international airlines on Wednesday that had previously suspended flights to the country.
Venezuela's government has not yet responded publicly to President Trump's declaration. The White House and the U.S. defense department did not immediately reply to requests for comment.