Multiple international airlines suspended their departures from Venezuela on Saturday, following a US aviation alert warning of unsafe conditions in the country’s airspace. The cancellations come amid heightened tensions as the United States prepares a new phase of operations targeting Venezuela, raising concerns about the stability of the region.Gol of Brazil, Avianca of Colombia and TAP Air Portugal pulled their scheduled flights from Caracas, according to Flightradar24 and updates from Simon Bolivar Maiquetia International Airport. Colombia’s aviation authority said there were “potential risks” for aircraft operating near Maiquetia because of worsening security and increased military presence in the area.
TAP Air Portugal said its Saturday and upcoming Tuesday services would not operate. “This decision follows information issued by the United States aviation authorities, which indicates that safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace are not guaranteed,” the airline told Reuters. Spain’s Iberia also decided to pause flights to Caracas starting Monday, although the company’s Saturday service to Madrid took off. “The company will assess the situation to decide when to resume flights to that country,” its spokesperson said.Other airlines, including Copa Airlines and Wingo, continued their scheduled operations from the airport. Latam Airlines also canceled its Bogotá flight planned for Sunday, according to Flightradar24.The FAA notice cited the “worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela,” cautioning that the environment posed risks to civil aircraft at all flight levels. The advisory comes as the Trump administration increases its military presence in the Caribbean, including deploying a major aircraft carrier, multiple warships, and F-35 fighter jets.In addition to these maneuvers, four US officials told Reuters that Washington is preparing a new phase of operations against Venezuela, which could include covert actions aimed at weakening or potentially removing President Nicolás Maduro from power. All officials spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the plans.Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, has repeatedly accused the US of trying to unseat him and insists that Venezuelan citizens and the military are prepared to resist any foreign intervention.
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