US President Trump Imposes Complete Airspace Closure Over Venezuela Amid Anti-Drug Operations

On Saturday, November 29, 2025, United States President Donald Trump announced a comprehensive shutdown of the airspace above Venezuela and its adjacent territories. This directive was disseminated via his Truth Social platform, targeting all entities involved in air traffic, including commercial carriers, private pilots, and any groups engaged in illicit drug trafficking or human smuggling operations.

This decisive action marks a significant escalation in regional tensions. The move is formally framed as part of a broader counter-narcotics campaign codenamed “Operation Southern Spear.” This operation was officially unveiled on November 14, 2025, by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Its stated objective is to dismantle drug trafficking networks across the Western Hemisphere, utilizing a hybrid fleet that incorporates autonomous systems.

Since the beginning of September 2025, the United States has executed more than twenty maritime strikes against vessels that Washington asserts were actively transporting narcotics. These operations have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 80 individuals. The intensity of these actions underscores the seriousness with which the US is pursuing its anti-drug objectives in the region.

Prior to the airspace closure, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had already issued a warning concerning a “potentially hazardous situation” stemming from increased military activity and GPS interference, an advisory set to remain in effect until February 19, 2026. This warning prompted immediate repercussions within the aviation sector.

In direct response to the FAA's advisory, which Caracas deemed an unwarranted intrusion, the Venezuelan government revoked flight authorizations for six international airlines. These carriers included Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, Avianca, a subsidiary of LATAM, GOL, and Turkish Airlines. Venezuelan authorities leveled accusations against these companies, claiming they were complicit in “terrorist actions” allegedly encouraged by the United States.

The military buildup by the US in the Caribbean, integral to “Operation Southern Spear,” involves the deployment of a carrier strike group centered around the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, supported by approximately 15,000 military personnel. This deployment represents the largest concentration of US forces in the area since the 1989 Panama operation.

Cruisers and destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles are currently patrolling within 110 to 160 kilometers of the Venezuelan coastline. Venezuela’s naval capabilities are estimated to be substantially smaller in comparison. This juxtaposition of military might creates a highly charged environment.

Amidst this escalating situation, Dmitry Rosenthal, Director of the Institute of Latin America at the Russian Academy of Sciences, previously commented that while a full-scale invasion appears unlikely, the risk of armed conflict remains palpable due to the proximity of military forces and ongoing threats of intervention. US officials maintain the legality of their operations under the banner of combating drug trafficking. Conversely, the Maduro regime consistently asserts that the true underlying agenda is regime change.