فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a provocative statement, U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that airspace over and around Venezuela should be considered “completely closed.” This warning came at a sensitive time in the escalating confrontation between the U.S. administration and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “To all airlines, pilots, drug dealers and human traffickers, please consider the airspace over and around Venezuela completely closed.” Trump did not provide any additional details regarding the nature of this announcement or the measures associated with it.
Escalation of Military Pressure on Venezuela
This warning comes at a time when American pressure on Venezuela is increasing, particularly in the field of combating drug trafficking. The U.S. administration has announced the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier in the Caribbean region, as part of confronting what Washington describes as Venezuela’s involvement in drug smuggling to the United States. Washington also accuses Maduro’s government of fueling drug trafficking that floods the American market, which Caracas has denied, saying that the real goal of American pressure is to change the Venezuelan regime and control the country’s vast oil reserves.
Airlines Suspend Flights to Venezuela
In the same context, six airlines, including Iberia, TAP, and Turkish Airlines, suspended their flights to Venezuela this week for safety-related reasons. This led to the revocation of their licenses by the Caracas government. These cancellations caused disruptions for travelers, according to Yusmaycar Salabaria, a Venezuelan doctor living in Chile, who described her experience as an “odyssey” after her flight from Bogotá to Caracas was cancelled. Salabaria had to cross the border between Colombia and Venezuela by land before taking a flight from San Cristóbal to Caracas.
Military Escalation and Possible Meeting Between Trump and Maduro
Later, Sukhoi and F-16 warplanes were spotted flying over the city of Maracay, about 100 kilometers from Caracas, where a military air show was being organized. This comes at a time when Trump is seeking to pressure Maduro’s government.
On the other hand, some reports confirmed that Presidents Trump and Maduro recently held a phone call during which they discussed the possibility of holding a meeting between them in the United States. Despite this, Trump had previously announced that the U.S. government has placed a $50 million reward for any information leading to Maduro’s arrest, and has listed “Cartel de los Soles” (Cartel of the Suns), a group allegedly under Maduro’s command, as a terrorist organization.
U.S. Military Presence in the Caribbean Region
U.S. military activities in the region continue, as American forces have struck more than 20 Venezuelan vessels suspected of involvement in drug smuggling in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since early September. These operations resulted in at least 83 deaths. However, Washington has not yet provided conclusive evidence that the targeted vessels were involved in drug smuggling or posed a threat to American security.
The Dominican Republic, Venezuela’s neighbor, has also allowed the United States to use its air facilities as part of a military deployment in the region. Similarly, Trinidad and Tobago, located just a few kilometers from Venezuela, has hosted U.S. Marine training exercises.
Tensions Escalate in Relations Between Washington and Caracas
Tensions continue to escalate between Washington and Caracas, as the United States continues to tighten pressure on Maduro’s government in various aspects, from airspace to military activities in the region. At the same time, Maduro’s government continues to reject the accusations against it, affirming that the goal of these moves is to bring about regime change and not merely combat drugs.
Amid these developments, political positions between the two countries remain unclear, with the possibility of a meeting between Trump and Maduro that could pave the way for negotiations or greater escalation in the future.
