The US military tensions have triggered a crisis in Venezuela’s air connectivity.
On Wednesday, the Venezuelan government revoked flight concessions for Iberia, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, Latam Colombia and Gol, accusing them of joining the actions of terrorism promoted by the USA.
Maiquetia International Airport in Caracas operated on Thursday with only seven scheduled departures and seven arrivals. The International Air Transport Association urged Venezuela to reconsider the revocation.
Iberia confirmed it hopes to resume flights as soon as possible, as soon as full security conditions are in place.
Venezuela did not specify which actions prompted the revocations, though the airlines are among the few remaining international carriers serving the country.
The move leaves Venezuela increasingly isolated from global air travel networks, with most international flights to Maiquetia already suspended in recent years due to economic sanctions and operational difficulties.
The Maduro government has revoked the operating permits of Iberia, TAP, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines and Gol after a 48-hour ultimatum expired.
The airlines had suspended their routes following the US warning about the risks in the airspace if US bombers are ordered to go on their mission and attack Venezuelan infrastructure.
The Venezuelan government on Wednesday implemented sanctions against six international airlines that had suspended their operations to Caracas.
The measure came into effect after a 48-hour deadline that President Nicolás Maduro’s government gave the companies to resume their flights expired.
The national government, in a sovereign decision, told the companies: if you do not resume flights in 48 hours, do not resume them any more. You keep your planes and we will keep our dignity.
Venezuela deploys troops @ coastline amid US military buildup in Caribbean
The crisis comes as the United States maintains an unprecedented military deployment in the Caribbean as part of Operation Southern Spear, announced in November to combat drug trafficking.
On Wednesday, the US Air Force revealed that B-52H bombers conducted strike demonstrations in Caribbean waters this week.
Two Dominican airports will be used temporarily to support anti-drug trafficking operations, San Isidro Air Base and Las Americas International Airport, both in Santo Domingo.
Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez called for calm: The way forward is not to send ships or make military threats.
The Venezuelan attorney general, Tarek William Saab, said that direct talks between Nicolás Maduro and Donald Trump, who has stated that his contacts with the Venezuelan leader seek to save many lives, are welcome.
EuroNews / ABC Flash Point Blog News 2025.
