Airlines Halt Venezuela Flights Amid U.S. Military Tensions

Six airlines have suspended flights to Venezuela following a warning from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regarding “heightened military activity” in the region. The announcement, made on Saturday, has seen major carriers such as Spain’s Iberia, Portugal’s TAP, Chile’s LATAM, Colombia’s Avianca, and Brazil’s GOL halt their operations to the country. Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Venezuelan Airlines Association (ALAV), did not specify the duration of these flight cancellations.

Despite this disruption, some airlines, including Panama’s Copa Airlines, Spain’s Air Europa, PlusUltra, and Venezuela’s LASER, continue to operate flights for the time being. However, Turkish Airlines has announced it will cancel flights between November 24 and November 28, further complicating travel to the country.

The FAA’s warning, issued on Friday, emphasized the need for caution for civilian aircraft in Venezuelan airspace due to a deteriorating security situation. The agency noted that potential threats could impact aircraft at all altitudes, particularly during crucial phases of flight such as takeoff and landing.

The backdrop to these cancellations is a significant increase in U.S. military presence in the region. Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group, additional naval vessels, and stealth aircraft, which it claims are aimed at combating drug trafficking. However, these actions have heightened fears within Caracas of possible regime change.

A U.S. terrorism designation targeting a drug cartel allegedly led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to take effect soon. This designation may signal an escalation in U.S. military actions against the Maduro government. Since September, U.S. forces have engaged more than 20 vessels suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, leading to over 80 fatalities. Yet, the U.S. has yet to provide definitive evidence linking these vessels to drug trafficking or posing any direct threat to the nation.

In the political arena, discussions within the Trump administration have surfaced regarding the possibility of deploying psychological operations, including dropping leaflets in Caracas to exert pressure on Maduro. President Donald Trump stated last week that he would not dismiss the idea of sending U.S. troops into Venezuela, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Maduro, who has faced international criticism for declaring victory in the July 2024 presidential elections despite losing to an opposition candidate, expressed a willingness to engage in direct talks with Trump. The U.S. does not recognize him as the legitimate president, accusing him of leading a drug cartel that channels narcotics into the United States. A reward of $50 million has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

Public sentiment in the U.S. appears to lean against military intervention in Venezuela, according to a recent CBS News poll, indicating a complex relationship between the two nations.

As the situation develops, the international community will be closely monitoring the impacts of military activities on both the safety of air travel and the broader geopolitical landscape in the region.