US President Donald Trump has warned that Venezuelan and surrounding airspace should be declared off-limits, escalating tensions with President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The statement, made on Truth Social, comes amid increased US military presence in the Caribbean, officially aimed at combating drug trafficking. However, Caracas accuses Washington of attempting regime change. Since early September, US forces have attacked over 20 alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing more than 80 people, though no evidence has been released to substantiate the drug trafficking claims. The US Federal Aviation Administration has also warned of deteriorating security and heightened military activity in Venezuelan airspace, prompting six major South American airlines to suspend flights. In response, Venezuela banned several airlines, accusing them of supporting US “state terrorism.” Reports suggest Trump and Maduro recently spoke by phone and discussed a possible meeting in the US, further complicating the geopolitical situation.