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Six international airlines suspended flights to Venezuela on Saturday following a warning from US aviation authorities about security risks linked to heightened military activity in the region, as Washington deploys significant naval and air power near the South American nation.
Spain's Iberia, Portugal's TAP, Chile's LATAM, Colombia's Avianca, Brazil's GOL and Trinidad and Tobago's Caribbean have all halted service to the country, according to Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Venezuelan Airlines Association. De Loaiza did not indicate when flights might resume.
The cancellations came one day after the US Federal Aviation Administration issued a caution to civilian aircraft operating in Venezuelan airspace, citing a "worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela." The agency warned that threats "could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival and departure phases of flight, and/or airports and aircraft on the ground."
Several airlines continue operating flights to Venezuela despite the FAA advisory. Panama's Copa Airlines, Spain's Air Europa and PlusUltra, Turkish Airlines, and Venezuela's LASER have not suspended service.
The FAA warning comes amid a major US military presence in the region that includes an aircraft carrier strike group, additional Navy warships and stealth aircraft. Washington characterizes the deployments as efforts to combat drug trafficking, though Venezuelan officials have expressed concerns that regime change may be the underlying objective.
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Since early September, US forces have conducted strikes against more than 20 vessels described as drug-smuggling operations in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in over 80 deaths. However, Washington has not provided concrete evidence demonstrating the targeted vessels were involved in drug smuggling or presented a threat to US security, contributing to rising tensions throughout the region.
A US terrorism designation targeting a drug cartel allegedly led by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is scheduled to take effect Monday. Some analysts view the designation as a potential precursor to military action against Maduro's government, though US officials have not confirmed such plans.
The combination of military deployments, the pending terrorism designation and the ongoing maritime campaign has intensified uncertainty in the region and prompted the aviation industry to reassess operations in Venezuelan airspace.
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