Trump told Maduro that the US might take military action if he does not step down.
President Trump on Saturday said that the airspace around Venezuela should be considered closed, escalating tensions with the Maduro regime and again showing that he is considering the possibility of striking ground targets.
He wrote on social media early Saturday:
"Dear airlines, pilots, drug traffickers and human traffickers, please note: the airspace over and around Venezuela must be completely closed."
According to sources, the post was published after Trump's call with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro last week. The White House declined to comment.
Two days earlier, Trump hinted that a ground strike against Venezuela was imminent. During his Thanksgiving speech at Mar-a-Lago, he said:
"The easiest ground operation. It will start soon. We have warned them: stop sending drugs to our country."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) referred questions about Trump's Saturday post to a notice issued last week, which is valid until February next year. The FAA reminded pilots to remain vigilant when flying over Venezuela because the "security situation has deteriorated and military activity has increased" in the country and surrounding areas. International airlines have begun to cancel more flights to Venezuela based on this warning.
The US cannot close another country's airspace, but the FAA can prohibit US airlines from flying to certain countries or entering their airspace. US airlines have not been flying to Venezuela for some time.
Amid the tension over the airspace, the US is increasing pressure on Maduro. The Trump administration considers Maduro an "illegitimate leader" due to accusations that he cheated in elections, engaged in drug trafficking, and violated human rights, and has demanded that he step down.
According to sources, during the phone call last week, Trump and Maduro discussed Venezuela's general amnesty request, which involves Maduro himself, his senior aides, and their families, many of whom are under financial sanctions by the US or face criminal charges.
According to these sources, Trump told Maduro that if he did not step down voluntarily, the US would consider other options, including using military force. The New York Times had previously reported on the content of this call.
According to flight tracking data and a statement from a Defense Department official, the US has been conducting fighter and bomber exercises near Venezuela in recent weeks. In addition, the US is strengthening its military presence in the Caribbean to ensure that if Trump decides to take further military action, the US military can carry out flight missions more quickly.
On Wednesday, the President of the Dominican Republic announced that he had allowed the US to conduct aircraft refueling, equipment transportation, and personnel movements in closed areas within his country to assist in combating drug trafficking. This statement was made during the visit of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The US is also installing radar systems on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, which is just a few miles from the Venezuelan coast. According to a statement by General Dan Keane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, following his visit on Tuesday, the US Marines have arrived at the island's airport and are participating in work on radar, runways, and road facilities.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1850184521119756/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.