Officials in Washington said they were unaware of any military plan to implement such a closure. Neither the Pentagon nor the White House provided additional detail. Venezuela’s government denounced the declaration as a “colonialist threat” that violates international norms, calling it a unilateral act hostile to the nation’s sovereignty.

Military analysts noted that enforcing a no-fly zone would require extensive planning and resources. As one expert put it, “The devil’s in the details.” The administration has been reviewing actions related to alleged drug-trafficking networks linked to Venezuela, accusations Maduro rejects.

Residents in Caracas voiced concern that Trump’s statement could disrupt travel and separate families. One cooking assistant said people rely on flights for work and family needs, while a lawyer worried about holiday travel, saying, “We’re confined, here in Caracas, in Venezuela. Of course it affects us.”

Venezuelan officials accused Washington of pursuing “colonial ambitions” and argued that the announcement effectively halts deportation flights that have recently returned thousands of Venezuelans. They also noted increased military activity, surveillance, and disruptions to GPS signals amid the U.S. buildup. The declaration comes shortly after an American aviation warning about heightened risks for flights over Venezuela.

Holsey’s retirement comes as the United States increases its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, and thousands of troops in response to growing tensions with Venezuela. Recent U.S. military actions targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels near Venezuelan waters have resulted in at least 27 fatalities, prompting concerns among some legal experts and members of Congress about the legality of such operations. The administration maintains that the actions are part of a broader effort against narcoterrorist organisations operating in the region.

Additionally, recent disclosures about covert intelligence activities have intensified speculation regarding U.S. intentions toward the Venezuelan government. The situation has further fueled diplomatic strain between the two countries.

Admiral Holsey’s exit adds to a list of senior military leaders who have departed since the current defence secretary took office. Some of those changes have been unexpected, involving high-ranking officials from various branches of the armed forces.

In a recent shift, the Pentagon announced that its counter-narcotics mission in the region would no longer be directed by Southern Command but instead by the II Marine Expeditionary Force, a North Carolina-based unit specialising in rapid overseas deployments. The change in command structure has drawn attention among military analysts, as such operations are typically led by regional combatant commands.

The Department of Defence expressed gratitude for Holsey’s long service and extended best wishes to him and his family.

President Donald Trump had made the fight against drug cartels a key pillar of his administration, linking it to broader goals of curbing migration and enhancing border security.

Though it’s not unusual for U.S. Coast Guard and Navy vessels to operate in the area, the current military buildup far exceeds typical deployments. A U.S. official, who asked not to be named, said Thursday that seven warships and one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine were either already in the region or expected to arrive within days.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the increased U.S. presence.

The Pentagon has not offered a public explanation for the operation’s specific objectives. However, the Trump administration previously authorised the use of military force against drug cartels and criminal organisations, directing the Defence Department to prepare strategies for doing so.

Venezuela filed a formal complaint with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday, accusing the United States of violating the principles of the United Nations Charter.

“It’s a massive propaganda operation to justify what the experts call kinetic action – meaning military intervention in a country which is a sovereign and independent country and is no threat to anyone,” Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador Samuel Moncada told reporters after meeting with Guterres.

The White House reiterated its stance, stating that Trump remains committed to using all available tools to curb the inflow of illegal narcotics.

“Many Caribbean nations and many nations in the region have applauded the administration’s counter drug operations and efforts,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Earlier in the year, the administration designated Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, other Mexican drug gangs, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua as international terrorist organisations.

Among the military vessels deployed are the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale, carrying around 4,500 personnel, including 2,200 Marines, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Intelligence-gathering flights using U.S. Navy P-8 surveillance aircraft have also been ongoing in the region, with operations remaining in international airspace, according to officials.

“Our diplomacy isn’t the diplomacy of cannons, of threats, because the world cannot be the world of 100 years ago,” said Maduro, whose government said last week it would send 15,000 troops to states along its western border with Colombia to combat drug trafficking groups.

Maduro has additionally encouraged the formation of civil defence groups, calling on them to conduct training exercises every Friday and Saturday.

His government frequently accuses domestic opponents and foreign actors of collaborating with U.S. agencies, such as the CIA, to undermine Venezuela—accusations both the U.S. and Venezuelan opposition figures deny. Caracas refers to international sanctions as part of an “economic war.”