President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the airspace above and around Venezuela should be regarded as "closed in its entirety." This statement raises significant questions about the U.S. government's increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump made the declaration on his Truth Social platform, addressing airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers, but did not provide details on any new policies or actions.

The announcement follows a warning from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to major airlines about a "potentially hazardous" situation in Venezuelan airspace. The FAA cited worsening security conditions and increased military activity that could pose risks to aircraft. As a result, six international airlines have suspended flights to Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

In response to Trump's declaration, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry condemned the statement as a "colonial threat" and a violation of international law. The ministry called for the United Nations and the international community to reject what it termed an immoral act of aggression. Venezuelan officials also noted that Trump's announcement would halt deportation flights for Venezuelans returning from the U.S., claiming it unilaterally suspended regular flights that had been occurring biweekly.

Trump's comments came shortly after a Thanksgiving call with military service members, where he indicated that land operations against drug traffickers in Venezuela would begin soon. He stated, "We warned them: stop sending poison to our country," referring to the alleged drug trafficking activities linked to Maduro's government.

The U.S. has intensified military operations in the Caribbean, deploying the USS Gerald Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, as part of a significant show of force. Since September, U.S. forces have conducted at least 20 strikes on suspected drug boats in the region, resulting in over 80 fatalities. However, the administration has not provided public evidence that these vessels were involved in drug smuggling.

The Trump administration has labeled Maduro and his government as part of the world's most dangerous terrorist organizations, claiming this designation grants the U.S. authority to conduct strikes within Venezuela. Legal experts, however, have questioned the validity of this claim.

In a related development, Trump recently pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted in a U.S. federal court for his involvement in drug trafficking. This decision has drawn criticism, with Senator Tim Kaine calling it "a disgusting and incomprehensible decision" that undermines efforts to combat narcotrafficking.

As tensions escalate, bipartisan calls for oversight of U.S. military actions in the region have emerged, particularly following reports of a verbal order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the treatment of suspected drug smugglers. The situation remains fluid as the U.S. continues to navigate its strategy in Venezuela amid ongoing humanitarian and political crises.