President Trump announced that the airspace above and around Venezuela would be “completely blocked”, amid high tensions between Washington and Caracas.
“To all airlines, pilots, drug traffickers and human traffickers, consider the entire airspace above and around Venezuela blocked. Thank you for your attention to this issue,” US President Donald Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social today, but did not give details.
Venezuelan officials have not commented on the information.
President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on November 27. Image: AP
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on November 22 warned civil aircraft to be extremely cautious when operating in Venezuelan airspace, due to “the deteriorating security situation and increased military activity in the area”.
“Threats can pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including when flying through airspace, during takeoff and landing phases, and at airports,” the FAA announcement read.
Airlines including Iberia of Spain, TAP Portugal, LATAM Chile, Avianca Colombia and GOL Brazil have suspended operating flights to Venezuela, while Turkish national airline Turkish Airlines also canceled all flights to Venezuela on November 24-28.
Venezuela then revoked the operating licenses of the six airlines above.
US military deployment around Venezuela. Click on the photo to view it in full
The US military in early September began an anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean Sea and deployed a large number of forces to the region, raising concerns that Washington intended to overthrow the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
US forces deployed near Venezuela currently include the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier battle group, at least 8 surface ships, a special operations ship, an attack submarine, 8 F-35B stealth fighters, AC-130 attack aircraft, transport aircraft, MQ-9 drones and more than 15,000 soldiers.
President Trump said on November 27 that “on the ground” efforts to stop drug trafficking from Venezuela will begin soon. It is unclear whether this statement refers to the possibility of the US launching a ground attack campaign on Venezuela or using long-range weapons.
Mr. Trump previously said he could have a dialogue with his counterpart Maduro, but did not rule out the possibility of launching an intervention campaign in Venezuela.