International flight services to Venezuela have been widely suspended due to a security alert issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), citing worsening security and increased military presence. The FAA cautioned pilots about potential risks to aircraft operating in Venezuelan airspace, encompassing all altitudes and ground operations. This directive has led six airlines – TAP, LATAM, Avianca, Iberia, Gol, and Caribbean – to suspend flights indefinitely. Turkish Airlines also temporarily halted services from November 24th to 28th. The FAA’s advisory highlighted that unspecified threats could pose dangers to planes in the air and on the ground. This move occurs amid a period of heightened U.S. military activity and diplomatic pressure targeting the Venezuelan government. The U.S. has notably increased its military presence in the Caribbean, including deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and conducting aerial maneuvers near Venezuela. The U.S. administration does not recognize President Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. The suspension of air travel has drawn condemnation from regional figures. Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared his view on X, stating, “Countries are not blocked, because blocking countries means blocking people, and that is a crime against humanity,” stressing the critical need for consistent and open flight connections between Latin America and the global community.
