Several major airlines have stopped flights to Venezuela following a U.S. aviation safety warning, affecting travel to the country amid rising tensions with the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.
Airlines including Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal canceled flights from Caracas on Saturday. Other international carriers are also adjusting their schedules. This disruption is impacting travel in the U.K. and Europe, particularly after the U.S. designated a Venezuelan group, known as the Cartel de los Soles, as a foreign terrorist organization.
TAP Air Portugal explained its decision was influenced by U.S. warnings that it could not guarantee safety for flights in Venezuelan airspace. Spain’s Iberia announced it would also suspend its flights to Caracas starting Monday, although its flight to Madrid on Saturday went ahead as planned. Copa Airlines and Wingo are still operating as usual, while LATAM Air canceled its flight to Bogotá on Sunday.
The changes by airlines came after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice urging caution for flights in Venezuelan airspace due to potential hazards. The advisory follows an increase in U.S. military presence in the Caribbean as part of a campaign against drug trafficking operations in the region.
On Monday, the U.S. State Department officially designated the Cartel de los Soles, a criminal network involving government and military officials engaged in drug trafficking, as a terrorist organization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that this cartel is linked to violence and drug trafficking throughout the Americas.
As the situation unfolded, European governments quickly updated their travel advisories. Germany noted that conditions in Venezuela remain “tense,” with potential for further deterioration. The U.K. government also warned travelers to expect last-minute flight cancellations and advised anyone planning to fly to or from Venezuela to stay in contact with their airline or travel agent.
