Nicolas Madurothe leader of the regime in Venezuela“I promoted something new”Special plan“To ensure the return of Venezuelans who are “stranded abroad” after the major suspension of flights, as a result of the warning issued by the US Aviation Authority against “Use extreme caution“When flying over the country and the southern region of the Caribbean Sea. This was stated by the second-in-command of the Chavez dictatorship, Delcy Rodriguez.
In Rodriguez’s words, the measure also seeks to “facilitate exit paths for those who have to travel outside our territories,” although he did not provide details about its implementation.
He stressed that the regime had activated “all multilateral mechanisms in accordance with international law to immediately stop this illegitimate and unlawful act,” in reference to US President Donald Trump’s warning.
In her letter, the official accused: “The US government satisfies Maria Corina Machado’s request to try to close Venezuelan airspace,” referring to the opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who is currently in hiding, and her award ceremony is scheduled to be held on December 10 in Oslo.
Tensions increased after United States President Donald Trump posted the warning on social media Social truth: “To all airlines, pilots, drug traffickers and human traffickers: We ask you to keep in mind that the airspace over Venezuela and its surrounding areas will remain completely closed. Thank you for your attention!” The Republican president’s statements did not specify reasons or deadlines.
Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Venezuelan regime denounced to the international community that this type of statement “represents an explicit threat to use force,” which it stressed is “clearly and unambiguously prohibited” under the UN Charter. The official text also confirmed that it was “an attempt at intimidation, and a hostile, unilateral and arbitrary act.”
The official text published by Foreign Minister Iván Gil confirmed that Venezuela “demands respect for its airspace” and stressed that the country would not accept “orders, threats or interference from any foreign power.”
The suspension of flights has been accelerated yet Federal Aviation Administration The US Secretary of State asked for “extreme caution” in this area, describing it as “potentially dangerous.” This recommendation unleashed a wave of cancellations by companies such as Iberia, Plus Ultra, Air Europa, Avianca and Turkish Airlines.
The Chavez dictatorship imposed a 48-hour period for airlines to resume operations on national territory and, when they did not comply, revoked the permits of Iberia Airlines, Turkish Airlines, GOL, Avianca, TAP and LATAM Colombia. Currently, the airlines Copa, Wingo, Boliviana de Aviación, Satena and the national carriers Avior and Conviasa continue to operate in Venezuela.
The message issued by Trump came at the same time that the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford was deployed to the Caribbean, accompanied by more than a dozen ships, fighter aircraft and 12,000 US soldiers, as part of an officially directed operation to combat drug trafficking organizations in the region, called Operation Southern Shaft.
Last weekend, Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Nicolas Maduro in which he reiterated that his military would increase military pressure if the dictator did not leave Caracas in the short term.
Senior US officials participated in that call, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which served as a closure to any negotiating situation and a direct demand for the departure not only of Maduro, but also of figures such as Diosdado Cabello, Vladimir Padrino, the Delce brothers, and Jorge Rodriguez.
In conjunction with the airspace warning, The US administration announced the designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO, for its abbreviation in English). The measure, which places the Maduro-led group on the State Department’s list, enables Washington to apply additional sanctions, freeze assets and open judicial proceedings against people and entities associated with the cartel.
This was announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio The group is “responsible for terrorist violence across the hemisphere” It reiterated that Washington considers Maduro the main leader of that criminal organization. But the Venezuelan regime denied these accusations and denied the existence of evidence linking it to drug trafficking networks.
(With information from EFE)