Six major international airlines have suspended flights to Venezuela following a warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about dangerous “heightened military activity” in the region.
According to Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Venezuelan Airlines Association (ALAV), Spain’s Iberia, Portugal’s TAP, Chile’s LATAM, Colombia’s Avianca, and Brazil’s GOL all cancelled flights on Saturday. She did not state when services might resume. Turkish Airlines also announced cancellations for November 24–28.
However, Panama’s Copa Airlines, Spain’s Air Europa, PlusUltra, and Venezuela’s LASER continue to operate flights.
The FAA warned civilian aircraft to exercise extreme caution in Venezuelan airspace due to “worsening security conditions,” stating that threats could affect aircraft at all altitudes — during overflight, takeoff, landing, or while on the ground.
The tension comes as Washington deploys an aircraft carrier strike group, Navy warships, and stealth jets to the region, officially to combat drug trafficking. However, Caracas fears the build-up signals a push for regime change. A US terrorism designation targeting a cartel allegedly linked to President Nicolas Maduro takes effect Monday, raising further concerns.
Since September, US forces have destroyed more than 20 alleged drug-smuggling vessels across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, killing over 80 people. Critics note that Washington has yet to present concrete evidence tying the targeted vessels to drug trafficking, fuelling regional unease.
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