Former President Donald Trump‘s unexpected declaration that the airspace “over and around” Venezuela should be considered “closed” has drawn swift condemnation from the Venezuelan government and sparked confusion in Washington. [[1]] The statement, issued saturday, prompted an immediate response from Caracas, labeling it an infringement on national sovereignty, while also raising questions about the legal basis and potential implications for international air travel. [[2]] Several airlines have already begun to adjust flight paths in response to the announcement. [[3]]
Venezuelan authorities have condemned a statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump as an infringement on the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Trump said the airspace “over and around” Venezuela should be considered “closed in its entirety.”
- The Venezuelan government has called the statement a “colonialist threat” to the country’s sovereignty.
- The statement created confusion in Washington and Caracas.
- Several international airlines are now canceling flights to Venezuela.
Former President Donald Trump said Saturday that the airspace “over and around” Venezuela should be considered “closed in its entirety.” The statement, made without further explanation, caused confusion in both Washington and Caracas, according to Reuters.
“To all airlines, pilots, drug smugglers and human traffickers: Consider the airspace over and around Venezuela as closed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
It is unclear whether Trump announced a new policy or simply reiterated a message in his campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Regardless, the Venezuelan government swiftly condemned Trump’s statement, calling it a “colonialist threat” to the country’s sovereignty.
“This represents a hostile, unilateral and arbitrary act that is not consistent with the principles of international law,” a statement from Caracas said.
