Venezuela is firing back at Donald Trump.
He claimed the airspace “above and surrounding” the country should be treated as completely closed.
Caracas called the remark “extravagant, illegal and unjustified,” accusing the US of making a “colonialist threat.”
After all, who actually has the authority to close another nation’s skies? Not Washington, Venezuela argues.
The dispute comes as the US boosts its military footprint in the region, carrying out 21 strikes on boats it insists were carrying drugs.
More than 80 people have been killed, though no evidence has been publicly presented.
President Nicolás Maduro calls it part of a plan to remove him from power.
Trump’s Truth Social warning — directed at airlines, pilots, traffickers and “human smugglers” — has rattled even members of Congress.
Both Democrats and Republicans reminded him that only Congress can declare war.
“Trump’s reckless actions are pushing America closer to another costly conflict,” said Senate leader Chuck Schumer.
Military Tensions Escalate
Meanwhile, the FAA has warned of “heightened military activity,” prompting airlines to halt flights.
Venezuela responded by pulling take-off and landing rights and staging coastal military drills on state TV.
With the US deploying its largest aircraft carrier and 15,000 troops nearby, Washington says it’s all about fighting drug trafficking.
Critics say it’s about regime change.
Either way, the skies over Venezuela just became the centre of a much bigger storm.
