Trump declares Venezuela’s airspace ‘completely closed’ after warning military action will begin 'very soon'
American troops have conducted at least 21 deadly strikes on boats it alleges were trafficking drugs to the US - but now it could strike on land.
Donald Trump has told airlines, businesses and foreign leaders that Venezuela’s airspace is closed, just days after he said he could take military action on land “very soon.”
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In the wake of months of strikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, killing more than 80 people in the process, Donald Trump warned the US could launch attacks on Venezuela “very soon.”
Taking to TruthSocial on Saturday, Mr Trump said the country’s airspace should be “considered closed.”
The president wrote: “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.”
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The warning came hours after the Federal Aviation Administration told airlines to “exercise caution” when flying over Venezuela “due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity.”
Dozens of flights have been cancelled in the wake of the FFA warning.
American troops have conducted at least 21 deadly strikes on boats, it alleges were trafficking drugs to the US in recent months.
Venezuela has condemned the attacks, which have killed more than 80 people.
The US is hoping to break down the cartels' hierarchy, which officials say is headed by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and run by members of his regime, a claim Mr Maduro denies.
"You probably noticed that people aren't wanting to be delivering by sea, and we'll be starting to stop them by land also," Mr Trump told military service members in a call on Friday.
He added: "The land is easier, but that's going to start very soon.
"We warned them to stop sending poison to our country."
The US has already deployed its most advanced air carrier to the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, along with other military vessels as part of its so-called Operation Southern Spear.
Mr Trump's defence chief Pete Hegseth has also regularly released videos of boats being targeted, but without providing evidence they have been transporting drugs.
Earlier this month, Venezuela said it had captured a group of mercenaries with alleged ties to the CIA, accusing them of plotting a “false flag operation” designed to trigger a military confrontation with the United States.