President Donald Trump warned airlines that Venezuela’s airspace may be shutdown as his administration threatens more severe action against President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

US forces have been massing in the region as Trump considers military action beyond strikes on boats carrying narcotics to the US.

Trump’s cryptic declaration Saturday concerning airspace may be a gambit for leverage in any conversations with Maduro, direct or indirect. It could be a precursor to larger regional strikes against boats under questionable legal authority, which have alarmed allies.

From Mar-a-Lago, Florida, Trump posted on social media, “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY.

The White House did not immediately respond to a clarification request.

Venezuela’s government statement Saturday criticized Trump’s “hostile” remark and demanded “unrestricted respect” for its airspace.