TRUMP: ‘VENEZUELAN AIRSPACE CLOSED’ — U.S. STRIKES TARGET DRUG AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING ROUTES TO THE U.S.

President Donald Trump warned airlines, pilots, drug smugglers and human traffickers to avoid Venezuelan airspace, amid an expanding U.S. military posture in the region. Since September, “Operation Southern Spear” has hit suspected narcotics vessels near Venezuela, with reported fatalities exceeding 80. The FAA issued a caution to pilots due to heightened military activity, and the administration has tied the actions to combating cartel-linked drug and human trafficking routes toward the United States.