Venezuela has taken drastic action against six international airlines that suspended flights to the Caribbean nation over security concerns related to US military operations in the region. The country's aviation authority imposed a complete ban on the carriers after they failed to resume operations within a 48-hour ultimatum.
Airlines Face Permanent Ban
The affected airlines include some of the most significant carriers connecting South America with Europe and regional destinations. Spain's Iberia, Portugal's TAP, Colombia's Avianca, Chile and Brazil's LATAM, Brazil's GOL, and Turkish Airlines have all been barred from Venezuelan airspace.
Venezuela's aviation authority justified the ban by accusing the airlines of "joining the actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States government." This strong language reflects the escalating tensions between Venezuela and the international aviation community.
Security Concerns Spark Flight Suspensions
The crisis began last week when multiple airlines suspended flights to Venezuela following safety warnings from Washington. The US Federal Aviation Administration had urged civilian aircraft operating in Venezuelan airspace to "exercise caution" due to what it described as a "worsening security situation and heightened military activity" in the region.
The United States has deployed significant naval assets to the Caribbean, including the world's largest aircraft carrier and ten other ships, for what Washington calls an anti-narcotics operation. Additionally, the US has conducted multiple shows of force with B-52 and B-1B bombers flying near Venezuela's coast.
A source from Iberia explained the airline's position, stating they hope to resume flights to Venezuela "as soon as possible, as soon as full security conditions are met." The Spanish airline emphasized that it "cannot operate in areas where there is a high security risk" and noted that Spain's aviation authority had recommended against flying to Venezuela at this time.
International Backlash and Passenger Impact
Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel condemned Venezuela's response as "disproportionate" during a statement on Thursday. He clarified that Portugal had "no intention of canceling our routes to Venezuela, and that, obviously, we only did so for security reasons."
The flight suspensions have created significant travel disruption throughout the region. According to the Venezuelan Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (AVAVIT), more than 8,000 passengers have been affected across at least 40 different flights. Travelers are now scrambling to find alternative arrangements as the ban takes effect.
Only a small number of Venezuelan companies, including Avior and Laser, continue to offer a limited number of flights to Spain and regional cities, creating capacity constraints for travelers seeking to enter or leave the country.
The political dimension of the conflict remains intense. Venezuela's leftist President Nicolas Maduro, whose re-election last year was widely rejected by the international community as fraudulent, believes the US operation is secretly aimed at overthrowing him. His government has responded defiantly, staging military exercises and mass rallies to project strength and popular support.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello captured the government's defiant stance, declaring: "Keep your planes, and we will keep our dignity."
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has continued to pile pressure on Venezuela, despite the US president saying he was open to dialogue with Maduro. This week, Washington designated an alleged Venezuelan drug cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, and the Dominican Republic offered the US use of an air base and airport for counter-narcotics operations.
