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Venezuela has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump’s claim that the country’s airspace should be treated as closed.
In a statement, the foreign ministry condemned Trump’s remarks as “yet another extravagant, illegal and baseless act of aggression against the Venezuelan people.”
The government noted that the US has no legal authority to shut down another nation’s airspace, describing Trump’s comments as a “colonialist threat.”
Tensions have risen as the US boosts its military presence in the region and has conducted at least 21 strikes on boats it alleges were transporting drugs—operations that have reportedly killed more than 80 people. Washington has not presented evidence to support its claims, and President Nicolás Maduro insists the US actions are part of an effort to remove him from power.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.”
The White House did not immediately respond to the BBC’s request for comment.
With Trump ratcheting up his threats, some Democratic and Republican members of the US Congress have expressed anger that he has not sought legislative approval.
“Trump’s reckless actions towards Venezuela are pushing America closer and closer to another costly foreign war,” top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer posted on X on Sunday.
“Under our constitution, Congress has the sole power to declare war.”
Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, until recently a close Trump ally, said: “Reminder, Congress has the sole power to declare war.”
Trump’s comments come just days after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned airlines of “heightened military activity in and around Venezuela”, leading to several major airlines suspending flights there. Caracas then rescinded their take-off and landing rights.
Venezuela’s foreign ministry urged “the international community, the sovereign governments of the world, the UN, and the relevant multilateral organisations to firmly reject this immoral act of aggression”, in a statement on Saturday.
The same day, Venezuela’s military conducted exercises along coastal areas, with state TV showing anti-aircraft weapons and other artillery being manoeuvred.
The US has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, and about 15,000 troops to within striking distance of Venezuela
