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, NicolΓ‘s 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, NicolΓ‘s 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.