Washington Warns of Imminent Land Action Against Venezuelan Drug Traffickers as Caracas Mobilizes Air Force

Washington has announced it will take action “very soon” on land against Venezuelan drug traffickers, escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. In response, Caracas has placed its air force on high alert, ready to defend national territory.

In a phone call with U.S. military personnel on Thanksgiving Day, former President Donald Trump declared, “People have probably realized by now that traffickers no longer want to deliver [drugs] by sea, and we will start stopping them by land. Moreover, it is easier by land, and this will begin very soon. We warned them to stop sending poison into our country.”

Trump did not provide specific details about the planned land operations but highlighted ongoing maritime interdictions in the Caribbean and Pacific. Since September 1, U.S. forces have reportedly killed more than 80 individuals and destroyed over 20 vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, most originating from Venezuela.

These operations have been conducted by a naval and ground military detachment in the region, including the USS Gerald R. Ford—the world’s largest aircraft carrier—carrying 4,000 troops and 75 fighter jets. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro views the deployment as an attempt to undermine his government.

Maduro called on Venezuelan Air Force personnel to remain “alert, ready, and willing” to defend the country’s sovereignty.

“I ask you to always remain unshaken in your calmness, alert, prepared, and ready to defend our rights as a free and sovereign nation. I know you will never fail Venezuela. Venezuela counts on you,” Maduro said during a remote address at the Maracay Air Base in Aragua state, marking the 105th anniversary of the Venezuelan Air Force.

During the event, troops conducted simulated interceptions of invading aircraft and forces.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López criticized governments that “engage in imperialist games to militarize the Caribbean” and called on them to cease actions against the will of their peoples.

On the same day, U.S. Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth visited the USS Gerald R. Ford to commend troops for confronting drug cartels.

The previous day, Hegseth was in the Dominican Republic, whose government granted temporary use of two airports to the U.S. for anti-drug trafficking operations in the region.

The Caribbean also witnessed B-52H bomber demonstrations earlier in the week, according to the U.S. Air Force.

Domestically, Venezuela experienced reduced civilian air traffic on Thursday amid regional military maneuvers. Caracas followed through on a Wednesday night threat by revoking the flight licenses of airlines TAP, Iberia, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, Latam Colombia, and Gol, accusing them of “joining the terrorist acts” promoted by the United States.

Maiquetia International Airport, serving Caracas, operated with limited flights on Thursday, with only seven departures and arrivals. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing over 300 global airlines, urged Venezuelan authorities to reconsider the revocation of flight concessions.

During the 19th Russia-Venezuela High-Level Intergovernmental Commission, held virtually, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez accused the Trump administration of attempting to isolate Venezuela and pressuring other nations to block airlines from flying to Caracas. She called for increased flights between Caracas and Moscow.

Last Friday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning advising extreme caution for airlines flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean, leading to numerous flight cancellations to Venezuela.

Portugal also condemned the threats after Venezuela revoked TAP’s flight concession, a route operated for nearly 50 years. Meanwhile, Spanish airline Iberia expressed hope to resume flights as soon as passenger safety conditions are met.