• Trump declares Venezuelan airspace closed in a warning to airlines and traffickers.
• The U.S. military has ramped up operations against drug traffickers in the Caribbean.
• Caracas accuses the U.S. of a colonialist threat amid rising tensions.
• Senator Mullin believes U.S. troops will not be deployed to Venezuela.
• Washington has conducted numerous strikes against alleged drug boats, raising legal concerns.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered ''closed in its entirety.'' His statement, posted on Truth Social, particularly targeted airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers, and came as tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela escalate. The announcement follows a significant military buildup in the Caribbean, including operations against Venezuelan drug traffickers, with reported strikes leading to over 80 fatalities according to United States sources, although no evidence has been presented that these were drug-related according to SCMP and ABC News.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued warnings to airlines about the risks of operating in Venezuelan airspace due to increased military activity and deteriorating security conditions. Following Trump’s announcement, major airlines suspended flights to Caracas, prompting the Venezuelan government to denounce this as a hostile act against its sovereignty. The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry condemned the closure as ''a hostile, unilateral and arbitrary act'' and called on the international community to reject these actions, which they view as a threat to their national security Al Jazeera and The Hill.

The military escalation comes amid the Trump administration's designation of the Venezuelan government as a ''foreign terrorist organization'' and ongoing operations targeting what is referred to as the Cartel de los Soles. Trump's administration claims these efforts are part of a campaign against drug trafficking, although critics question the legality of such military actions, labeling them extrajudicial killings and warning about potential violations of international law SCMP, ABC News, and Al Jazeera.

In the wake of these developments, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has mobilized military forces to respond to U.S. actions, accusing Trump of using fabricated narratives as a cover for potential military intervention. Maduro has reiterated calls for peace while simultaneously vowing to protect Venezuelan sovereignty. He stated, ''If we have to do it the hard way, that's fine, too,'' regarding possible U.S. military action, indicating he is prepared for conflict SCMP, ABC News, and Al Jazeera.

Senator Markwayne Mullin, while emphasizing that Trump has stated troop deployment in Venezuela is not planned, acknowledged that Trump aims to protect U.S. interests through proactive measures rather than a direct military invasion. He reinforced the notion that the current strategy is about preventing threats before they reach the U.S. shore The Hill.