Colombian President Petro Slams Trump For Saying Venezuela's Airspace Should Be Considered Closed: 'Under What Norm Of International Law?'

Colombian President Gustavo Petro slammed his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump for saying Venezuela's airspace should be considered closed as his administration further escalates its pressure campaign against Caracas.

"I want to know. Under what norm of international law can the president of one country shut down the airspace of another nation? If that exists, excuse my for overstepping. If it doesn't the ICAO (for International Civil Aviation Organization) is failing right now," Petro said in a social media publication.

Quiero saber ¿bajo que norma de derecho internacional un presidente de un país le puede cerrar el espacio aéreo a otra nación?Si eso existe, me disculpan mi atrevimiento, pero si no existe y la OACI esta fallando en este momento, le digo al mundo que un espacio aéreo nacional…

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) November 30, 2025

"I tell the world that a national airspace can't be shut down by a foreign president. Otherwise the concept of national sovereignty and 'international law ' is over. I speak as the president of the ECLAC and the Republic of Colombia," Petro added.

The post took place after Trump said in a social media publication of his own that "all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers" should consider "THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY."

The post was the latest escalation in the pressure campaign the Trump administration is exerting on the Nicolas Maduro regime, and which, according to a new report, included threats of military action.

Infobae detailed on Saturday that the threat took place during the phone call the two had last week. There, the outlet added, Trump emphasized that Maduro must leave power along with top regime officials, likely including Diosdado Cabello, Jorge and Delcy Rodriguez and Vladimir Padrino Lopez.

Hours after the call, the administration officially designated the Cartel de los Soles, which the administration accuses Maduro and his top officials of leading, as a terrorist organization, paving the way for strikes inside Venezuela.

The White House also rejected that the conversation included a potential meeting, like The New York times had reported a day prior.

Earlier on Friday, The Washington Post noted that Turkey has risen as a potential destination should an off-ramp be agreed on. The outlet noted that noted that Caracas and Ankara have friendly ties, exchanging cabinet-level visits in recent years, and have a dynamic trade relationship.

As a result, and considering that Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has a good relationship with Trump, some in Washington D.C. are actively contemplating the possibility.

"At the end of day, what are realistic and acceptable outcomes? Obviously, people are thinking about it, working on it," a person familiar with administration deliberations told the outlet. The person said such a deal could come with guarantees. Namely, assurances that Maduro wouldn't be extradited to the U.S.

• U.S. Military Employed Drones, Aircraft and Redacted Weapons Systems in Attacks on Suspected Drug-Trafficking Vessels
• Trump Reportedly Warned Maduro That U.S. Will Escalate Military Action If He Doesn't Leave Venezuela Soon

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