Another Distraction: Trump plays war games with Maduro to save face from failure and scandals

The Greek Courier
So much for being a Man of Peace. Just a few months after his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, the self-styled king of the United States instructed the closure of Venezuelan airspace, coinciding with a significant increase in American military presence in the region. This order came just a day after his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, gave a verbal directive to U.S. troops to eliminate any survivors from a Navy strike on fishermen, whom Trump has labeled as drug dealers. Hopefully, this escalation will not lead to a full-scale war, allowing Trump to save face amidst his economic challenges and ongoing scandals. 

Trump heightened tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who the White House claims collaborates with narco-terrorist groups to support drug trafficking. He posted on Truth Social Saturday morning: “Attention Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers: please treat THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND AROUND VENEZUELA AS COMPLETELY CLOSED.”

The Federal Aviation Administration recently issued a security notice warning airlines and pilots to avoid Venezuelan airspace, citing “a worsening security situation,” increased military activity, and potential GPS interference as risks to flights. On Thursday, Venezuela struck back by revoking operating rights for six major international airlines that had suspended flights to the country following the FAA’s warning.

Trump’s decision to close the airspace "in its entirety" goes beyond the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) recommendation, indicating that the U.S. now perceives Venezuelan skies as an active security threat rather than merely a risky transit area.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

In recent months, Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been conducting a significant pressure campaign aimed at ousting President Maduro. This campaign has involved a buildup of American military presence in the Caribbean and targeted operations against boats the White House claims are involved in drug trafficking.

These attacks on suspected drug vessels have sparked international criticism, with both Democrats and some Republicans expressing concerns that Trump is consolidating more power in the executive branch and potentially violating international law.

Last month, the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights condemned these strikes, labeling them "unacceptable" and echoing lawmakers' worries about violations of international law.

This week, the president hinted at the possibility of military action against drug smugglers operating in the oil-rich South American country. "People aren’t wanting to deliver by sea,” he stated at the White House on Thursday. “We’ll also be starting to stop them by land. The land is easier. But that’s going to start very soon. We warn them: stop sending poison to our country."

The FAA recently issued a security alert recommending that airlines and pilots avoid Venezuelan airspace, citing "a deteriorating security situation," an increased military presence, and potential GPS disruptions as flight hazards. On Thursday, Venezuela responded by canceling the operating permissions of six major international airlines that had ceased flights to the nation following the FAA's advisory.