US Unilaterally Suspends Migrant Repatriation Flights to Venezuela After Trump's Tweet
The US has unilaterally suspended migrant repatriation flights to Venezuela, the country's government said on Saturday, in response to President Donald Trump's tweet that Venezuela's airspace should be considered "closed in its entirety." The statement was released by the Venezuelan government in response to Mr. Trump's post on social media.
Venezuela's government demanded "unrestricted respect" for its airspace and described the US move as a "hostile, unilateral, and arbitrary act incompatible with international law." The country's president, Nicolás Maduro, has been at odds with the US over several issues, including allegations of human rights abuses and economic mismanagement.
The White House did not respond to questions about Mr. Trump's post, which appeared to signal further pressure on Mr. Maduro's government. The US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean region in recent weeks, with the deployment of a naval fleet and fighter jets.
International airlines had already begun canceling flights to Venezuela due to heightened military activity in the country. The Venezuelan government said that the suspension of migrant repatriation flights was part of the US move to "undermine the sovereignty" of its airspace.
The Trump administration has been seeking to pressure Mr. Maduro's government, which it does not recognize as legitimate. Mr. Trump has publicly floated the idea of talking to Mr. Maduro, despite criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with more than 80 people killed in US strikes against suspected smugglers since early September. The US military is maintaining a large presence in the region, including nearly a dozen Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines.
The US has unilaterally suspended migrant repatriation flights to Venezuela, the country's government said on Saturday, in response to President Donald Trump's tweet that Venezuela's airspace should be considered "closed in its entirety." The statement was released by the Venezuelan government in response to Mr. Trump's post on social media.
Venezuela's government demanded "unrestricted respect" for its airspace and described the US move as a "hostile, unilateral, and arbitrary act incompatible with international law." The country's president, Nicolás Maduro, has been at odds with the US over several issues, including allegations of human rights abuses and economic mismanagement.
The White House did not respond to questions about Mr. Trump's post, which appeared to signal further pressure on Mr. Maduro's government. The US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean region in recent weeks, with the deployment of a naval fleet and fighter jets.
International airlines had already begun canceling flights to Venezuela due to heightened military activity in the country. The Venezuelan government said that the suspension of migrant repatriation flights was part of the US move to "undermine the sovereignty" of its airspace.
The Trump administration has been seeking to pressure Mr. Maduro's government, which it does not recognize as legitimate. Mr. Trump has publicly floated the idea of talking to Mr. Maduro, despite criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with more than 80 people killed in US strikes against suspected smugglers since early September. The US military is maintaining a large presence in the region, including nearly a dozen Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines.
... Like, what's next? Are they gonna close the whole country just 'cause Trump said so? 
It's not even like he actually did anything to help the situation, just tweet some nonsense and expect everyone to listen. And Venezuela's government is right to be mad, I mean, who does the US think it is? Can't we all just get along... or at least, try to solve problems peacefully? 
It's like they're not even trying anymore 
.
. trump's tweet was just a way to send a message, not like it was a formal declaration or something. usa's gonna do what they wanna do, and venezuela can't stop 'em 
. don't really see how this is affecting anyone except maybe the airlines who got their flights canceled... 
what's good with trump's tweet tho? like, is venezuela really that closed off or can they just chill on social media 
anywayz, it's kinda weird that they're suspending those flights now... maybe they didn't think thru the consequences 
like, what about all these ppl stuck in limbo? 
international law is one thing but gotta consider human life too, fam 
. So, Trump just tweeted that Venezuela's airspace is "closed in its entirety" and now they're suspending all those migrant repatriation flights 
. It's like, what even is going on over there? 
. I'm not sure how this whole situation is gonna play out but I hope it doesn't lead to any more bloodshed 
. Can we just have some peace and stability in the region, you know? 
️ this is getting out of hand, i mean, trump's tweet was just a statement but it seems like the us is going all out on venezuela now... what's next? are they gonna block all flights to the country? that would be crazy 
.
Trump thinks he's flying solo now 
... but at the same time, i don't blame venezuela for pushing back 
... and i'm like, what's with all this US military presence in the caribbean tho? 
... on one hand, it's true that Maduro's gov has been super sketchy 
... but on the other, shouldn't they be able to govern their own airspace without some rich guy telling them what to do 
?
! Can't we all just get along and figure some stuff out peacefully? 
. I don't think anyone wants a war on the internet 
. It's all just so dramatic and unnecessary 
?