US president Donald Trump has announced that the American Air Force is closing the skies of Venezuela. Following months of mounting tension between the two nations, the US leader said 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.” The specific meaning and limitations of that announcement have not been further clarified by Trump or other members of the administration or the military. Many flights into and out of Venezuela have been cancelled or rerouted in response to the seeming threat.
This comes during a period when the American Navy has been carrying out bombings of what it claims are drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea, including in or near Venezuelan waters. Further revelations have come out about alleged “double tap” strikes on the suspected drug boats, intended to ensure that there are no survivors. These stories have drawn some criticism from the global community, with UN General Secretary António Guterres warning that the strikes may be in violation of international law. While it is unlikely there will be any indictments over the issue, time will tell how effective that deterrent is or how this newest phase of the partial blockading of Venezuela will develop.
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