Donald Trump has ordered the closure of Venezuela’s airspace in his latest crackdown on “drug dealers and human traffickers”. The US President took to his social media platform Truth Social to issue a fiery message. He wrote: “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.”

This comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a security notice to airlines and pilots, advising them to avoid Venezuelan airspace. It warned of “a worsening security situation”, increased military activity, and potential GPS interference.

Venezuela also stripped six major international airlines of their operating rights on Thursday after they suspended flights to the South American country.

Mr Trump’s announcement is the latest in a series of moves that he says will clamp down on drugs coming into the US.

The White House has previously accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of working with drug trafficking organisations to facilitate the illegal trade.

Earlier this week, the US President suggested potential military action against drug smugglers.

He said: “People aren’t wanting to be delivering by sea. And we’ll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier. But that’s going to start very soon. We warn them. Stop sending poison to our country.”

Mr Trump’s actions, which so far have included attacks on alleged drug vessels, have been condemned by Democrats and international organisations alike.

The United Nations Commisioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called them “unacceptable” and voiced conerns that they break international law.