Trump announces: Venezuelan airspace to be closed

US President Donald Trump stated in a post on his US-based Truth Social account, "All airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers, please be advised that the airspace over Venezuela and its surrounding areas will be completely closed."

In the continuation of his post, Trump added, "Thank you for your attention to this matter."

US President Donald Trump had previously issued an executive order instructing the military to be used more extensively and effectively for on-site combat against Latin American drug cartels.

In this context, the US sent a naval force consisting of submarines and warships to the waters off the coast of Venezuela in late August, and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had stated that the US military was prepared for operations in Venezuela, including regime change.