Venezuela Issues Final Warning to International Airlines: Resume Flights or Face Consequences
Airport image source
The Venezuelan authorities have issued a stern warning to global carriers, demanding they resume flights to the country within 48 hours or face revocation of their flight clearances.
Airlines Suspend Operations Following American Alert
Multiple international carriers halted their Venezuelan operations after the American FAA issued a warning about increased military activity in the region.
The warning came as the United States increased tensions by deploying naval forces to the Caribbean region, including what reports describe as enhanced naval deployment.
Impacted Carriers
- Carriers from Spain: Air Europa
- South American airline: Gol Airlines
- Latin American operator: Latam Airlines
- Colombian airline: Avianca
- European airline: TAP Air Portugal
- Turkish carrier: Turkish Airlines
"Rescinding airlines' clearance would only isolate the country further," warned the global aviation body.
Safety Issues
The FAA advisory specifically mentioned concerns about operating in the MaiquetÃa region, citing worsening safety situation and heightened defense activities.
MaiquetÃa airport, which handles capital city flights, has seen dramatically decreased international traffic despite some airlines continuing operations.
Industry Response
Industry groups have urged Venezuelan authorities to withdraw the deadline, warning that further loss of air links would harm the country.
The association emphasized that member airlines had only briefly halted operations and remained dedicated to reinstating services when situation stabilizes.
Growing Tensions
US-Venezuela relations have worsened amid American naval deployments in the region, which US officials state aims to fight narcotics trade.
Naval operations have included numerous interventions against alleged narcotics shipments in regional seas since the beginning of fall.
Political Standoff
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has strongly condemned both the military strikes and American deployment, accusing Washington of attempting to overthrow him.
In public comments, Maduro declared that "Nobody can overcome Venezuela, we are invincible."
American officials has repeatedly characterized Maduro as an undemocratic ruler, referencing disputed re-election that international observers considered irregular.
Amid conflicts, American leader Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of direct talks with Maduro, indicating that "eventually, I will speak with him."
