“The prohibition of an enemy’s airspace depends on the ability, availability and willingness to shoot down any aircraft that crosses it,” he added.
The American President “is really ready to apply these types of rules by force? We have doubts, but with the Trump administration, you never know,” he said.
The United States has bombed two dozen vessels belonging to alleged drug traffickers since September, leaving more than 85 people dead.
Trump is internally facing controversy over an attack that targeted men who were already in the water after a first attack destroyed the vessel they were traveling on.
Maiquetía airport, in Caracas, had planned four departures and three arrivals on Thursday at its international terminal: Curaçao, Havana and Bogotá, operated by Venezuelan national airlines.
Interestingly, the closure mentioned by Trump does not concern flights transporting migrants expelled by the United States to Venezuela. One of these arrived on Wednesday, another is expected today.
This is not the first time that airlines have abandoned the country. In 2013, with the worsening of the economic crisis, the companies ceased operations due to the Venezuelan State’s debts to them, which reached around 3.8 billion dollars (3.26 billion euros).
Activity at the domestic flight terminal remains normal, with hundreds of passengers and around 80 flights on Thursday.
On the Flightradar flight tracking website, few planes appear over Venezuelan territory, contrasting with the activity over neighboring countries.
“It’s a matter of precaution and responsibility,” said a Venezuelan security expert, quoted by AFP, who requested anonymity.
Precautionary principle, pressure from financiers of aircraft used by airlines, insurance companies and even pilot and crew unions: according to the same source, it is difficult for companies to fly when a warning of this type is issued.
Oscar Palma dismisses the idea that companies, which have commercial logic, have canceled their flights in a political way, as Caracas points out. “Understanding that there is a risk in the area, companies say it is better to avoid problems,” he said.