Caracas, Venezuela – November 29, 2025 – Venezuela has denounced US President Donald Trump’s declaration that the airspace above and surrounding the country is “closed in its entirety,” calling it a “colonialist threat” and an escalation of Washington’s pressure on Caracas.

In a statement, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Trump’s announcement constitutes “yet another extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people” and undermines the country’s sovereignty.

Trump posted on Truth Social Saturday morning:

“To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.”

The statement comes amid weeks of escalating rhetoric from senior US officials targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government. While the Trump administration claims its actions aim to combat drug trafficking, experts warn Washington may be preparing for a broader effort to remove Maduro from power.

Escalating Tensions

The US has deployed an aircraft carrier to the Caribbean and conducted deadly strikes on vessels accused of smuggling drugs, killing dozens, which UN experts describe as extrajudicial killings. Earlier this week, Trump also indicated that the US would target Venezuelan drug trafficking “by land.”

President Maduro, speaking on national television Thursday, emphasized that Venezuelans would not be intimidated:

“The US is increasing what it calls ‘excuses and lies’ to justify intervention in Venezuela.”

Economic and Humanitarian Impact

Experts warn that Trump’s policy could severely affect ordinary Venezuelans, already struggling with poverty, unemployment, and migration.

Francisco Rodriguez, senior research fellow at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said:

“A country subject to air isolation cannot receive medicine or essential supplies, and citizens cannot travel even for emergencies. This reflects a scorched earth approach that harms people, not just the government.”

Professor Omar Hassaan Farinya of the Bolivarian University of Venezuela added:

“This is open aggression against the Venezuelan people. The worst impact is economic, with over a decade of coercive measures limiting trade and access to resources.”

Previous US Moves Against Maduro

The Trump administration has steadily increased pressure on Maduro:

• $50 million reward offered for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.
• Designation of the so-called Cartel de los Soles, allegedly linked to Maduro, as a terrorist organization.
• Airline suspensions prompted by the FAA warning about heightened military activity over Venezuelan airspace.

Caracas responded by suspending the operating rights of six airlines that halted flights to Venezuela, accusing them of “joining US state terrorism”.

Experts, including former US ambassador Charles Shapiro, argue the underlying goal is forcing Maduro to leave office, rather than solely combating drug trafficking.

“Clearly, what the US wants is for Maduro to leave, which would require him leaving the country,” Shapiro told Al Jazeera.