Venezuela Says U.S. Halted Migrant Repatriation Flights After Trump Declares Airspace 'Closed'

Venezuela has accused the United States of effectively suspending flights to repatriate migrants and of attempting to "undermine the sovereignty of its airspace" after former President Donald Trump posted that Venezuela's airspace should be considered "closed in its entirety."

In a statement responding to the social-media message, the Venezuelan government demanded "unrestricted respect" for its national airspace and described the post as a "hostile, unilateral, and arbitrary act" inconsistent with basic principles of international law. The statement said flights that were part of an organized repatriation plan had been "unilaterally suspended" as a result.

The post urged "all airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers" to regard the airspace "above and surrounding" Venezuela as closed. U.S. officials did not immediately clarify whether the message announced a new, formal policy or was intended to reinforce an ongoing campaign of pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.

Last week, several international carriers began canceling flights to Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advised pilots to exercise caution flying near the country because of heightened military activity. The FAA normally has jurisdiction over U.S. airspace and territories but issues international warnings when conflicts or military operations pose risks to civilian aircraft.

Venezuela cited International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules in its statement, insisting that "no authority outside the Venezuelan institutionality has the power to interfere, block or condition the use of national airspace." Neither the FAA nor ICAO immediately replied to requests for comment.

Escalating military pressure and regional operations

The United States has intensified pressure on the Maduro government, which Washington does not recognize as Venezuela's legitimate leadership. U.S. officials say recent operations target drug-smuggling activity; these have included bomber flights near Venezuelan airspace and the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford as part of a larger naval task force.

Described by U.S. authorities as "Operation Southern Spear," the deployment comprises nearly a dozen ships and roughly 12,000 sailors and Marines. Media and official accounts indicate U.S. strikes on small vessels since early September have resulted in more than 80 deaths.

Bipartisan oversight and contentious orders

Allegations about the conduct of some strikes have prompted bipartisan calls for congressional oversight. Reports have suggested that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order related to a Sept. 2 attack on suspected drug smugglers that directed lethal action against crew members. Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Sen. Roger Wicker and ranking member Sen. Jack Reed said the committee "will be conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to these circumstances."

The U.S. administration has considered a range of military and nonmilitary options toward Venezuela, including covert actions authorized by U.S. agencies. There have also been unconfirmed reports of direct contact between the U.S. president and Nicolás Maduro, though official spokespeople declined to verify any conversation.

The dispute highlights competing claims over aviation safety and national sovereignty: Venezuela insists on exclusive control of its airspace, while U.S. operations aim to disrupt drug trafficking and apply diplomatic pressure on the Maduro government.