Multiple international airlines suspended flights to and from Venezuela over the weekend following a U.S. aviation safety warning, creating significant travel disruptions as the Trump administration increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as reported by Fox News.
According to Reuters, Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal canceled departures from Caracas on Saturday, with additional changes by carriers continuing through Monday.
The shifts in airline operations coincided with the administration’s decision to designate the Venezuelan group known as the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.
TAP said its decision was tied to U.S. advisories indicating that safety could not be guaranteed, Reuters reported.
Spain’s Iberia announced it would suspend flights to Caracas beginning Monday “until further notice,” though it continued its scheduled service to Madrid on Saturday.
Copa Airlines and Wingo maintained their operations, while LATAM canceled its Sunday flight to Bogotá.
The primary trigger for the cancellations came after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning on Nov. 22 advising aircraft flying in or over Venezuelan airspace to “exercise caution” due to a “potentially hazardous situation.”
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Fox News Digital reported that the advisory was part of broader concerns involving regional safety conditions.
The FAA warning came as the U.S. expanded its military presence across the Caribbean, deploying bombers, warships, and Marines in a campaign targeting drug-trafficking activity in the region, including airstrikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
On Monday, the State Department formally announced in the Federal Register the designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.
The group, also known as the “Cartel of the Suns,” refers to a network of Venezuelan government and military officials linked to drug-trafficking operations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that the Cartel de los Soles and other cartels operating in Venezuela were “responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”
European governments also responded to the developments. Germany updated its travel guidance Monday, warning that Venezuela’s situation remained “tense” and could worsen.
The United Kingdom advised travelers on Sunday that flights were being canceled with little warning.
“Some airlines have canceled flights at short notice,” the U.K. government said. “If you have an upcoming flight to or from Venezuela, you should stay in touch with your airline or travel agency.”
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