President Trump says airlines should consider closing airspace over Venezuela

President Donald Trump on Saturday directed airlines to consider closing airspace over Venezuela.

“To all airlines, pilots, drug traffickers, and human traffickers, please consider completely closing the airspace over and around Venezuela,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

President Trump’s comments came about a week after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to airlines: Flying over Venezuela. The FAA issued a notice urging airlines to “exercise caution” due to “potentially hazardous conditions” in the area.

“Due to the deteriorating security situation and increased military activity in and around Venezuela, operators are advised to use caution when operating at all altitudes in the Maiquetia Flight Information Area.” The FAA advisory stated:

Some international airlines cancel flights to Venezuela after FAA warning over safety concerns

“Threats may pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflights, during the arrival and departure phases of flights, and at ground-based airports and aircraft,” the report added, calling on airlines to notify the FAA at least 72 hours in advance if they plan to fly in the region.

Some international airlines have since canceled flights to Venezuela following the FAA’s warning.

The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from FOX Business on Saturday.

FAA warns airlines about flights over Venezuela: ‘Potentially dangerous situation’

A Venezuelan Navy coast guard boat operates off the Caribbean coast on September 11, 2025. (Juan Carlos Hernandez/Reuters/Reuters)

Direct flights to Venezuela by U.S. passenger and cargo carriers have been suspended since 2019, but some airlines still fly over the country on routes to South America. to Reuters.

“Since September 2025, there has been an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference in the Maiquetia Flight Information Area (SVZM FIR), as well as activities related to the strengthening of Venezuela’s military preparedness,” it said. The FAA also made this clear.

Spain’s Iberia Airlines has announced that it is canceling flights to Venezuela indefinitely.. (Reuters/Isabelle Infantes/File Photo/Reuters)

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“Recently, some commercial aircraft have reported GNSS interference while passing through the SVZM FIR, and in some cases the effects may remain during the flight. GNSS jammers and spoofers can affect aircraft up to 250 nautical miles and can affect a variety of critical aircraft communications, navigation, surveillance, and safety equipment,” the FAA continued.