Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Nov 30: Days after reportedly holding a direct phone conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, US President Donald Trump has intensified his stance against Caracas, announcing a complete closure of Venezuelan airspace and hinting at potential military action.

In a brief Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump warned, “... please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.” His message was aimed not only at pilots and airlines but also at “Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers,” tying the announcement to his broader anti-drug and anti-immigration agenda.

For weeks, US forces have been striking vessels on the high seas suspected of transporting narcotics, destroying more than 20 targets and causing over 80 fatalities. “We’ll be starting to stop them by land,” Trump said on Thursday, adding that ground action would begin “very soon.”

Venezuela condemned Trump’s declaration as “hostile and unjustified,” calling it an act that “reeked of colonialism.”

Tensions in the region continue to grow as the Caribbean sees heightened US military activity, including a fleet led by the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and a deployment of 15,000 American personnel.

According to The New York Times, which cited anonymous sources, Trump and Maduro recently spoke by phone and even discussed the possibility of meeting in person. Secretary of State Marco Rubio—known for his hardline views on Maduro—was reportedly on the call. Neither Washington nor Caracas has confirmed the conversation.

Reports suggest Maduro offered concessions, including access to Venezuela’s oil sector, but insisted he remain in power for two more years—terms Trump is unlikely to accept.

The US recently designated the Venezuelan-linked Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation, accusing Maduro of heading it. This designation could allow Trump to frame any action against Venezuela as part of an anti-drug operation rather than a traditional war, potentially bypassing criticism that he is engaging in foreign interventions despite his past opposition to regime-change wars.

Such framing could also allow Trump to argue that Congressional approval is unnecessary. However, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer issued a sharp reminder: “Under our Constitution, Congress has the sole power to declare war — not the president.” He warned that Trump’s “reckless actions towards Venezuela are pushing America closer and closer to another costly foreign war.”