US Warns Venezuela: Trump Threatens Force Against Maduro Amid Escalating Tensions
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In a dramatic escalation of tensions, US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that the US may use force if he refuses to step down voluntarily. The warning comes after months of US military action in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, targeting small boats accused of smuggling narcotics. Trump's threat was made via his Truth Social platform, where he declared that Venezuela's airspace should be considered 'closed in its entirety.' This move has raised questions about whether it marks a new policy shift or a continuation of the administration's long-running pressure campaign against Maduro. The warning follows a recent surge in flight cancellations to Venezuela, prompted by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) advisory urging pilots to exercise extreme caution when flying near the country due to heightened military activity. The US has taken several steps to pressure Maduro, including deploying strategic bombers near Venezuelan airspace and sending the USS Gerald R Ford, the nation's most advanced aircraft carrier, to the region. The mission, dubbed 'Operation Southern Spear,' now includes nearly a dozen Navy vessels and roughly 12,000 sailors and Marines. Tensions between the US and Venezuela have escalated dramatically in 2025, with Trump authorizing military deployments and airstrikes that have raised fears of direct conflict. The US has accused Maduro of playing a key role in narcotics trafficking and has labeled the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Maduro has denied the accusations, insisting that Washington's actions are part of a long-running effort to pursue regime change and gain control over Venezuela's vast natural resources. The State Department has doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest, raising it to $50 million. The situation remains volatile, with the US and Venezuela on a collision course. The international community is closely watching the developments, with many wondering what the future holds for this troubled region.
