Six Airlines halt Flights to Venezuela Amidst U.S. Military Buildup
CARACAS – Six international airlines – Iberia of Spain, TAP of Portugal, Avianca of Colombia, Caribbean Airlines of Trinidad and Tobago, GOL of brazil, and LATAM of Chile – suspended flights to Venezuela on Saturday, November 22, 2025, coinciding with increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean region aimed at combating drug trafficking.
The cancellations followed a warning from the U.S. federal Aviation Administration (FAA) citing a “worsening security situation” and “increase in military activity” around Venezuela. The FAA advised “extreme caution,” stating potential threats could endanger aircraft at all altitudes,including during arrival,departure,and ground operations.
Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Association of Airlines of Venezuela (ALAV), announced the suspensions and advised passengers with upcoming flights to remain vigilant for further notices. As of Saturday, Copa Airlines of Panama, Air Europa, turkish Airlines, Laser Airlines, and PlusUltra Airlines continued to operate flights to Venezuela.
The FAA’s warning and subsequent airline actions come as the U.S. government prepares to designate a drug trafficking cartel allegedly led by Nicolás Maduro as a terrorist organization on Monday. The U.S. has already escalated its anti-drug operations in the caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, with forces having engaged more than 20 vessels involved in drug trafficking since September, resulting in 83 fatalities.
Washington has also deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, along with a fleet of warships and fighter planes to the Caribbean for these operations.
