In response to a U.S. aviation safety alert, several prominent airlines have suspended flights to Venezuela, causing significant travel disruptions and further intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
As reported by Reuters, at least three airlines—Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal—canceled their flights departing from Caracas on Saturday. Additional international airlines are expected to adjust their operations through Monday.
This interruption in flight services has also affected connections to the U.K. and Europe. It coincides with the U.S. administration’s move to label the Venezuelan organization known as the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist entity.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has advised airlines to “exercise caution” when flying over Venezuela, citing a “potentially hazardous situation” in the area.
TAP Air Portugal explained that its decision to halt flights was influenced by U.S. advisories warning that safety in the region could not be assured, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Iberia has announced a suspension of its flights to Caracas starting Monday, “until further notice.” However, its Saturday flight to Madrid proceeded as scheduled, the report noted.
Copa Airlines and Wingo continued operations, while LATAM canceled its Sunday Bogotá-bound flight.
The airline changes primarily came after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to aircraft operating in or over Venezuelan airspace.
American Airlines plane sits on the tarmac at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela. (AP)
As reported by Fox News Digital, the FAA had warned airlines Nov. 22, about flying over Venezuela, issuing a notice urging them to “exercise caution” due to the “potentially hazardous situation” in the region.
The advisory comes as the U.S. has significantly increased its military presence across the Caribbean deploying bombers, warships, and Marines as part of a campaign targeting drug-trafficking operating near the region and airstrikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
On Monday, the State Department went on to formally announce the designation of the Cartel de los Soles in the Federal Register.
USS Gravely and several other destroyers have been deployed to U.S. Southern Command as the Trump administration takes on drug cartels and President Nicolás Maduro. (Getty Images)
The Cartel de los Soles, or “Cartel of the Suns,” refers to a network of government and military officials in Venezuela engaged in drug trafficking.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said in a statement last week that the Cartel de los Soles and other cartels in Venezuela were “responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”
On Monday, European governments quickly updated their travel guidance. Germany warned that Venezuela’s situation remained “tense” and could deteriorate further.
Meanwhile, the U.K. advised travelers Sunday that flights were being canceled on short notice.
“Some airlines have canceled flights at short notice,” the U.K. government advised. “If you have an upcoming flight to or from Venezuela, you should stay in touch with your airline or travel agency,” it said.
