UPDATE: The Venezuelan government has issued a strong condemnation of President Donald Trump’s recent call to close the airspace above Venezuela, labeling it a “colonialist threat” to their sovereignty. Trump made the controversial statement on September 30, 2025, via Truth Social, urging airlines and pilots to consider the airspace “closed in its entirety.”
In response, Venezuelan officials asserted that such remarks violate international law, emphasizing that “no authority outside the Venezuelan institutional framework has the power to interfere with, block, or condition the use of international airspace.” As of Sunday afternoon, data from Flightradar24 shows that flights continue to operate normally within Venezuelan airspace, contradicting Trump’s claims.
This diplomatic spat arises amid escalating tensions over U.S. military actions in the region. Just a day earlier, the Senate and House Armed Services Committees announced investigations into the Pentagon’s operations following reports of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordering strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. NPR confirmed that the U.S. military has conducted at least 21 strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least 82 individuals linked to these operations, known as Operation Southern Spear.
Venezuelan authorities are alarmed by what they describe as an “explicit use of force,” which they argue is prohibited by Article 2, paragraph 4 of the U.N. Charter. They contend that Trump’s statements further escalate military threats against the nation.
The political fallout continues, with Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen suggesting on ABC’s This Week that the military’s actions could amount to a “war crime.” He criticized the lack of transparency regarding the military’s justification for these strikes, stating, “They’ve never presented the public with the information they’ve got here. If that theory is wrong, then it’s plain murder.”
Conversely, Republican Senator Eric Schmitt defended Trump’s stance on Fox News, asserting that the President is acting “well within his Article 2 powers” to combat drug smuggling. He stated, “I think it’s a two-part strategy to eliminate the precursors coming from China and to dismantle the cartels distributing drugs to the U.S.”
Political leaders from both parties express growing frustration over Trump’s unilateral approach to Venezuela. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned that Trump’s actions could lead the U.S. into another costly foreign conflict, stating on X that “Trump’s reckless actions towards Venezuela are pushing America closer and closer to another costly foreign war.”
In a notable critique, former Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene reminded followers that “Congress has the sole power to declare war,” highlighting the ongoing debate about the legality of military actions without legislative approval.
As tensions rise, the international community is watching closely. What happens next could significantly impact U.S.-Venezuela relations and regional stability. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
