Against the backdrop of the tensions with Venezuela, the American president published an unusual tweet on the Truth social network • “Suggest to all airlines, drug dealers and human traffickers – keep in mind that the airspace above the country and around it is closed,” wrote Trump • In the New York Times it was reported that the two leaders talked earlier this week and considered holding a meeting in the US
In the shadow of the tensions between the countries and the reports that the American government is considering military action in Venezuela, the President of the United States Donald Trump published an unusual tweet on the Truth social network. Trump warned the “airlines, pilots, drug dealers and human traffickers” that the country’s airspace would be closed.
Earlier today, it was reported in the New York Times that the two leaders talked and that the possibility of the two meeting in the US was even considered. The conversation comes after the US State Department announced that it is expected to add the De Los Soules drug cartel from Venezuela to the list of foreign terrorist organizations. This means that sanctions will also be imposed on Maduro himself, since the Trump administration claims that he heads the cartel, claims that he himself denied.
This is not the first time that the US government has restricted flights over Venezuelan territory. In recent weeks, the United States has announced a ban on flying over all of Venezuela due to “a potentially dangerous security environment due to the escalation of the security situation in and around the country”. A short time later, the country’s airspace appeared to be completely empty.
In recent months, tensions between the United States and Venezuela reached a peak, when American military forces began to be deployed in the Caribbean Sea and the government ordered the military to thwart drug smugglers’ boats that made their way to the country’s borders. At the same time, reports began to appear that Washington is considering several courses of action to topple the regime of Nicolás Maduro. Trump also did not rule out a ground invasion of the country and earlier this month threatened the Venezuelan president and said that “his days in office are numbered”.
Just this week, a person close to senior officials in Venezuela told the Wall Street Journal that Maduro and his people think the buildup of US forces against Venezuela is a bluff. He added that he believes the only way Washington can topple the regime in Caracas is by sending troops to the capital.