International Desk (EFE).- Airlines in Latin America and Europe canceled flights to Venezuela on Saturday after the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an international alert warning commercial carriers to “exercise extreme caution” when flying over Venezuela, and the southern Caribbean due to increased military activity and deteriorating security conditions.
The FAA’s NOTAM A0012/25 states that increased military activity around Venezuela could pose risks “at all altitudes,” including during overflight, approach, departure, and even for aircraft on the ground.
The alert coincides with a major US military deployment in the Caribbean, including last week’s arrival of the USS Gerald Ford, the largest US aircraft carrier.
Washington says the operation targets drug trafficking; Venezuela calls it a “threat” aimed at regime change.
Colombian Airlines split
Colombian carrier Avianca suspended its Bogota-Caracas flights, two per day, citing operational adjustments following the FAA alert.
“We canceled today’s flights due to operational adjustments and are evaluating the situation like all airlines,” an Avianca source told EFE.
Low-cost airline Wingo said it had not canceled flights but was reviewing conditions. “We have not canceled flights for the next two days; we are evaluating depending on security conditions,” a spokesperson said.
Colombia’s Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) activated security protocols and requested all airlines operating near the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (FIR Caracas) to submit internal analyses on the alert’s operational impact, including possible route changes. “Aviation safety is intangible and non-negotiable,” the agency said.
Aerocivil noted that any operational adjustments by airlines must comply with the FAA’s mandatory 72-hour notice requirement.
The agency said the consolidated information from carriers would be essential to establish a coordinated response with international aviation authorities.
Gol, TAP, and Iberia join growing list of carriers
Brazil’s Gol canceled flights scheduled for Saturday and Sunday between São Paulo and Caracas.
Passengers were offered rebooking options or refunds. “For the moment, the cancellations apply only to this weekend,” company sources told EFE.
Portuguese airline TAP canceled flights scheduled for Nov. 22 and Nov. 25, citing US assessments that “conditions of safety are not guaranteed in Venezuelan airspace.”
TAP stressed that the decision follows “international safety recommendations” and said all affected passengers had been notified. “TAP regrets the inconvenience and reiterates that this decision is to guarantee the safety of passengers and crew,” the company said.
Spanish flag carrier Iberia also suspended its commercial flights to Venezuela, starting with a flight planned for Monday, and said it would continue evaluating the situation.
Rising regional tensions as US military presence grows in Caribbean
The FAA alert and flight cancellations come amid escalating geopolitical friction between the US and Venezuela.
The Pentagon has reinforced its Caribbean deployment in recent weeks as part of what Washington describes as a campaign against narcotrafficking networks allegedly linked to the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The operation, which began in September, has included strikes on civilian vessels allegedly connected to drug trafficking, actions that have extended to the Pacific and resulted in more than 80 deaths.
Caracas accuses Washington of using narcotrafficking as a “pretext” to justify a military buildup near its borders. EFE
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