Donald Trump says airspace above and around Venezuela is closed | Venezuela

Donald Trump said on Saturday that the airspace over and around Venezuela would be completely closed.

“All Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers, please consider a COMPLETE LOCKDOWN OF THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Venezuela’s communications ministry, which handles all press investigations on behalf of the government, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s post.

The U.S. defense department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

US attacks on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean have been ongoing for months, along with a US military build-up in the region, and Trump has authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela.

The president told military service members this week that the United States would do so “very soon.” begin ground operations To stop suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers.

Last week, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned major airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela due to the South American country’s “deteriorating security situation and increased military activities.”

Venezuelan revoked operating rights For six major international airlines that suspended flights to the country following the FAA warning.

The Trump administration accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking, but Maduro denied the accusation.

Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, said Trump was trying to oust him and that Venezuelan citizens and the military would resist such attempts.

U.S. forces in the region have so far focused on counter-narcotics operations, but the firepower amassed far exceeds anything needed for them.

They have carried out at least 21 attacks on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September, killing at least 83 people.