Washington, Nov. 29 – President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the airspace over and around Venezuela would be considered entirely closed. He posted the blunt warning on Truth Social:
“To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.”
Trump’s remark coincided with escalating friction between the United States and Caracas. Since early September, U.S. forces have carried out more than 20 confirmed strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and East Pacific, reportedly killing over 80 people. In mid‑November, the Pentagon reinforced its presence in the region by deploying the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford – a deployment not seen in at least thirty years.
During a Thanksgiving address to U.S. troops, Trump hinted that the U.S. might “very soon” intervene on the ground against drug‑trafficking networks in Venezuela. President Nicolás Maduro has denied any links to drug trafficking, accusing Washington of fabricating a pretext to push for regime change.
The New York Times, citing sources close to the matter, reported that Trump had a phone call with Maduro last week. The conversation covered the possibility of an in‑person meeting, although no concrete arrangements were made. Neither the White House nor the Venezuelan government has commented on the call.
On Nov. 24, the U.S. formally listed Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization and imposed sanctions, a move the Venezuelan government denounced as a “ridiculous lie” aimed at illegal interference in its internal affairs. The call involving Secretary of State Marco Rubio occurred just days before the designation took effect, according to Xinhua. Two people close to Caracas confirmed that a direct conversation between the two leaders did indeed happen.
Axios, relying on an unnamed source, said Trump has decided to speak directly with Maduro. “There’s more talk about talking and less talk about bombing,” one insider told the outlet. Another official added that “nobody is planning to go in and shoot him or snatch him (Maduro) – at this point. I wouldn’t say never, but that’s not the plan right now.”
The report suggests that Trump’s decision represents a key moment in his gun‑boat diplomacy toward Venezuela, hinting that U.S. missile strikes or direct military action may not be imminent.
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