Caracas, Venezuela: Several leading international airlines have halted their services to Venezuela indefinitely as security conditions worsen and U.S. military activity increases in the region’s airspace. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued a critical advisory to pilots, warning that aircraft operating in Venezuelan territory face potential risks during departure, landing, and at all flight levels.
The president of the Airlines Association of Venezuela confirmed that six major carriers — including TAP, LATAM, Avianca, Iberia, Gol, and Caribbean Airlines have withdrawn their operations for now. Turkish Airlines has also paused its flights from November 24 to 28.
This situation escalated after the Trump administration intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. does not recognize as the legitimate leader of the nation. As part of its strategy, the U.S. military positioned bombers near Venezuela’s coastline.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro strongly criticized the widespread suspension of flights, saying that restricting international access to Venezuela would deepen the country’s isolation and create additional hardships for its citizens.
Background of the U.S.Venezuela dispute
Tensions between Washington and Caracas primarily stem from disputes over Nicolas Maduro’s leadership. The conflict intensified after the U.S. rejected the 2018 presidential election results and recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido instead. In response, the U.S. imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuela’s key industries — especially the oil sector accusing Maduro’s administration of corruption, human rights violations, and involvement in narcotics trafficking.
These sanctions have severely impacted the country’s economy. Meanwhile, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying warships and bombers as a form of pressure against the Maduro government.
Amid these developments, many global airlines have suspended flights due to U.S. security advisories, leaving Venezuelans facing increasing challenges as geopolitical tensions grow.
