On Saturday, Nov. 29, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that, amid rising tensions over alleged drug trafficking, Venezuelan airspace is now considered completely closed by the United States.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “To all airlines, pilots, drug traffickers, and human traffickers, consider Venezuelan and surrounding airspace completely closed.”
Fox Business also quoted Trump’s statement, noting that it came about a week after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning.
The FAA recently advised pilots to “exercise extreme caution” when approaching Venezuelan airspace, citing a “deteriorating security situation and increased military activity.”
The FAA warned that threats could affect flights at all altitudes, including overflights, takeoffs, landings, and ground operations. Some international flights have already been canceled following the warning.
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The FAA also noted a significant increase in local Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference since September 2025. Some commercial aircraft have experienced navigation disruptions while flying over affected areas, potentially impacting multiple critical communication and safety systems.
Trump: Land operations may begin ‘soon’
During a discussion with U.S. military personnel on Thursday, Trump said that the U.S. would “soon” conduct land operations in Venezuela to curb the activities of “numerous” Venezuelan drug cartels. He noted that maritime interdiction operations have already made traffickers cautious, and that “land operations will begin soon.”
The U.S. is currently monitoring the Caribbean region under Operation Southern Spear, intercepting drug-smuggling vessels heading to the U.S. The Department of Defense reported that operations since September have sunk multiple vessels, resulting in over 80 deaths. Both the White House and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that these operations do not meet the standard of “hostile actions” under the War Powers Act.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading the “Sun Cartel” drug trafficking organization and has designated the group a foreign terrorist organization. The U.S. has repeatedly labeled Maduro as Venezuela’s “illegitimate leader.”
As tensions rise, the U.S. has deployed reconnaissance aircraft, F-35 jets, and naval vessels to the region. This month, the aircraft carrier USS Ford arrived in Latin American waters. Trump has also authorized the CIA to conduct secret operations within Venezuela.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that, in the event of military action, U.S. forces may target military-controlled airports and ports.
