Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Ministry has moved swiftly to dispel public concerns regarding potential airspace disruptions following former US President Donald Trump’s declaration of a no-fly zone over Venezuela. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge issued an official statement on November 29 characterizing social media speculation about flight interruptions as “misinformation” and “fearmongering” orchestrated by politically motivated influencers seeking to create instability.
The ministerial response came hours after Trump’s social media proclamation that declared “THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY” while addressing “Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers” in his characteristic blunt style. This escalation occurs against a backdrop of heightened US-Venezuela tensions, marked by significant US military deployment to the region and 21 missile strikes on vessels since September 21 that resulted in 83 fatalities among alleged drug traffickers.
Minister Sturge emphasized that commercial aviation operations continue unaffected throughout Trinidadian airspace, with local, regional, and international flights operating without hindrance. The Defence Ministry, which maintains authority over the nation’s airspace and territorial waters, committed to providing official timely communications should any operational changes become necessary, urging citizens to disregard unverified social media speculation.