Global tensions have escalated dramatically after former US President Donald Trump declared the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety.
A Provocative Declaration
The announcement was made via a post on Trump's Truth Social platform, which was unusually addressed to 'all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers.' This aggressive move follows a formal warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to major airlines about a 'potentially hazardous situation' over the South American nation. The FAA cited a worsening security situation and heightened military activity in the region as the reason for its alert.
Military Buildup and Deadly Strikes
This airspace closure is the latest development in a significant escalation between the US and Venezuela, sparking growing fears of a potential armed conflict. The situation has been deteriorating due to a substantial US military build-up off the coast of South America. This deployment includes:
- Troops
- A nuclear submarine
- Multiple warships
The escalation follows a series of deadly US military strikes targeting vessels in international waters off Venezuela and Colombia. These strikes have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 83 people. While the US government claims the boats were involved in drug trafficking, critics, including some members of Congress, have labelled the attacks as extrajudicial killings of fishermen.
Accusations and Fears of an Attack
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the US government of deliberately escalating the conflict by 'fabricating a new eternal war' against his administration. He claims the US is increasing its 'excuses and lies' to create a pretext for military intervention in Venezuela.
There are now mounting fears that President Trump may use the current military deployment to launch a direct attack on Venezuela with the explicit objective of ousting President Maduro. These concerns are amplified by previous US accusations that Maduro is involved in drug trafficking, further fuelling the risk of military action.
