Venezuela has banned six major international airlines from landing in the country after they failed to meet a government-imposed 48-hour deadline to resume flights. The carriers had temporarily suspended operations to Caracas following a US warning of “heightened military activity” in the region.
The airlines affected include Iberia, TAP Portugal, Gol, Latam, Avianca, and Turkish Airlines. Venezuela’s civil aviation authority, reporting to the transport ministry, announced that the carriers would lose landing and take-off rights immediately. The authority accused the airlines of “joining the actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States government” by unilaterally suspending commercial flights.
While smaller airlines continue to operate in Venezuela, thousands of passengers have been left stranded. The suspension comes amid rising tensions between Caracas and Washington. The US has deployed around 15,000 troops and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford off Venezuela’s coast, citing the mission as part of efforts to combat drug trafficking. The deployment is the largest US military presence in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
The US says its forces have carried out at least 21 strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs, resulting in over 80 deaths. Critics have questioned the scale of the deployment and pointed out the lack of verified evidence that the targeted boats were involved in drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, sees the US military presence as an attempt to destabilize his government.
Earlier this week, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning for flights to Maiquetía International Airport in Caracas. The advisory urged operators “to exercise caution at all altitudes due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in and around Venezuela.” Following the warning, the now-banned airlines suspended their flights.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sought to ease tensions by noting that member airlines were keen to resume operations, but the effort failed to sway the Venezuelan authorities.
Amid the standoff, both Maduro and former US President Donald Trump have indicated a willingness to hold direct talks. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he “might talk” to Maduro while warning that the US could act “the easy way” or “the hard way.” Maduro, meanwhile, posted a video showing himself driving through Caracas and pointing out Christmas decorations, seemingly to signal that daily life in the city continues despite the crisis.
The ban on major carriers underscores the growing strain between Venezuela and the United States, highlighting how geopolitical tensions are directly affecting international travel and commercial operations in the country.
