Venezuelan Officials Condemn US Remarks
Venezuela responds with sharp anger to Donald Trump’s claim that the nation’s airspace should be treated as closed. The foreign ministry calls his statement “another extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people”. Officials say the United States holds no legal authority to shut another country’s airspace. They accuse Trump of issuing a “colonialist threat” that violates international norms.
Military Escalation Intensifies Regional Pressure
The United States increases its military presence near Venezuela. US forces launch at least 21 strikes on boats they claim carried drugs. More than 80 people die in these attacks. Washington offers no evidence for its allegations. President Nicolás Maduro says the United States seeks to remove him from power. Trump writes on Truth Social that airlines, pilots, smugglers and traffickers should view all Venezuelan airspace as closed. The White House does not respond to a request for comment from a British broadcaster.
US Lawmakers Challenge Trump’s Actions
Trump’s message triggers anger in the US Congress. Members from both parties criticise him for bypassing congressional authority. Chuck Schumer warns that Trump pushes the United States toward another costly foreign conflict. He stresses that only Congress can declare war under the constitution. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a strong Trump ally, repeats the same warning.
Flight Cancellations Follow US Safety Warnings
Trump’s claim comes days after a warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration. The agency alerts airlines to increased military activity around Venezuela. Several large carriers suspend flights soon after. Caracas then withdraws their take-off and landing rights. Venezuela’s foreign ministry urges global institutions and governments to reject what it calls an immoral act of aggression. The Venezuelan military holds coastal drills on the same day. State television shows anti-aircraft weapons and heavy artillery moving into place.
Large US Force Positioned Near Venezuela
The United States positions the USS Gerald Ford, its largest aircraft carrier, along with about 15,000 troops. Washington says the move targets drug trafficking networks. The deployment becomes the biggest US presence in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Trump warns that efforts to stop alleged Venezuelan drug trafficking by land will begin very soon. Venezuelan officials say Washington plans to topple Maduro, whose disputed re-election drew strong criticism. Colombian President Gustavo Petro says the United States uses violence to dominate Latin America, though some leaders support Trump’s stance.
Terrorist Label Escalates Diplomatic Tension
The United States labels the Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organisation. Washington alleges that Maduro and senior officials run the group. The designation grants US agencies wider powers to target and dismantle it. Venezuela’s foreign ministry rejects the label “categorically, firmly and absolutely”, calling it another hostile act.
