Trump Orders Venezuelan Airspace Closed, Flights Cancelled Across Region

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the airspace “above and surrounding” Venezuela should be considered “closed in its entirety.”

He posted the message on his Truth Social account and addressed it to “Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers,” a list that reads like an odd guest list for a crisis. The White House did not immediately explain whether this was a new policy or political messaging.

The warning followed a series of United States strikes at sea that Washington says hit vessels allegedly crewed by drug traffickers. As of November 16, 2025, reports list 83 people dead, one missing and presumed dead, and two people captured and repatriated, figures that have drawn sharp criticism at home and abroad. The strikes occurred in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and raised questions about civilian risk and legal authority.

The Federal Aviation Administration told pilots to be cautious flying near Venezuela, and several international carriers began canceling flights. The moves left travelers and airlines scrambling and Caracas furious after it revoked rights for some carriers.

The United States has also moved major military assets into the region. The USS Gerald R. Ford and other ships are part of a task force that totals nearly a dozen Navy vessels and about 12,000 sailors and Marines. Officials say the deployment is meant to show strength as tensions rise.

Despite the military posture, there were signs of quiet diplomacy. The New York Times reported that Trump and Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro spoke last week and discussed a possible meeting. The White House would not confirm the call.

Experts say mixing force and diplomacy is risky. It can raise legal questions and leave civilian air travel in a limbo where rules are unclear. Airlines said they acted out of caution and safety for their passengers and crew.

Travelers reported canceled trips and higher fares as carriers pulled out. Some passengers had to find new routes by land or make last minute plans that added time and cost. Airports in the region saw fewer international flights and more local uncertainty.

Venezuela’s government has pushed back. Officials called the moves an act of aggression and have increased patrols in some coastal areas. Local residents report more surveillance and a growing fear of mistakes in the fog of conflict.

In Washington some lawmakers and legal experts want answers. They ask how the United States plans to enforce a closure and whether Congress was consulted. Others worry about the toll on civilians in a country already facing deep economic strain.

Some critics also point to the cost of the military buildup and the risk of an unintended clash at sea or in the air. Supporters of the president say the steps target narco traffickers and protect people from drugs and violence.

Featured image via X screengrab