U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the United States will "soon" begin land-based operations to intercept Venezuelan individuals suspected of drug trafficking.
"You may have noticed that drug traffickers are no longer willing to transport by sea, and we will start intercepting them on land. Land operations are easier to conduct, and they will begin very soon," Trump said during a video call with U.S. military personnel.
Venezuela's Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Trump administration has been weighing various options against Venezuela to counter what it claims is President Nicolás Maduro's role in supplying illegal drugs linked to American deaths. Maduro has previously denied any involvement in the drug trade.
So far, U.S. military efforts in the region have primarily focused on anti-drug operations, though the firepower assembled far exceeds what such missions typically require. Since September, U.S. forces have conducted at least 21 strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in at least 83 deaths.
As U.S.-Venezuela relations deteriorate, reports of imminent military action have increased following the deployment of U.S. troops to the Caribbean.
Last Saturday, Reuters cited four U.S. officials reporting that the U.S. is preparing to launch a new phase of operations related to Venezuela.
After the U.S. military buildup in the region, Venezuela revoked the operating rights of six major airlines that heeded Western warnings and suspended flights.
Venezuela’s civil aviation authority also revoked the operating permits of Latam, TAP, Avianca, and Gol on Thursday via social media, accusing these airlines of participating in "U.S.-backed acts of state terrorism."
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned last week of potential dangers for airlines flying over Venezuelan airspace due to "deteriorating security conditions and increased military activity." Other countries' aviation regulators issued similar warnings after the U.S. conducted a significant naval buildup in the Caribbean. Maduro called the buildup a pretext for the U.S. to overthrow him.
Iberia, owned by International Airlines Group, stated on Thursday that it "cannot operate in areas with high security risks. That is currently the situation in Venezuela, and Spain’s aviation authority Aesa advises against flying there."
The U.S. deployment includes the world’s most advanced aircraft carrier, over 14,000 troops, more than a dozen warships, and a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine.
On Tuesday, Maduro rallied supporters in Caracas, calling tensions with the U.S. "decisive for the survival of the republic." "If the homeland demands it, we will give our lives," he said.
On Wednesday, during a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Dominican Republic authorized Washington to conduct operations in restricted areas at its San Isidro Air Base and other airports outside the capital, Santo Domingo.
This month, U.S. forces also conducted exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, whose coastline lies just miles from Venezuela.
Thursday’s flight bans further isolated Venezuela, which has long been under U.S. sanctions, leaving only a handful of airlines operating limited routes to Cuba, Colombia, Panama, Curaçao, and Bolivia.
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