(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Donald Trump has announced that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela is "closed in its entirety" as tensions escalate and fears of military confrontation intensify.

The former president, posting on Truth Social, declared: "To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY."

Initial reports suggest the airspace restriction has proven effective, with virtually no aircraft visible crossing Venezuelan territory, and none recorded over Caracas as of 12.15pm local time.

Flightradar shows there are very few flights over Venezuela

Venezuela has yet to issue any official response to the measure.

Concerns are mounting that Trump may utilise the substantial

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