Venezuela Issues Ultimatum to International Airlines: Restore Services or Face Consequences
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Venezuela has delivered a firm ultimatum to international airlines, demanding they restart operations to the country within 48 hours or risk losing their operating licenses.
Airlines Suspend Services Following US Warning
Several major airlines halted their Venezuelan operations after the US aviation regulator issued a warning about heightened security risks in the region.
This alert followed as the US government increased tensions by deploying naval forces to the southern Caribbean, including what reports describe as enhanced naval deployment.
Affected Airlines
- Carriers from Spain: Plus Ultra
- South American airline: Gol Airlines
- Latin American operator: Latam Airlines
- Colombian airline: Avianca
- Portuguese operator: TAP Air Portugal
- Turkish carrier: Turkish Airlines
"Revoking flight permissions would only isolate the country further," warned the International Air Transport Association.
Safety Issues
The FAA advisory specifically highlighted concerns about operating in the Maiquetía region, referencing worsening safety situation and heightened defense activities.
Venezuela's main international hub, which serves Caracas, has seen significantly reduced global connectivity despite certain carriers maintaining services.
Aviation Reaction
Aviation organizations have requested Venezuelan authorities to remove the ultimatum, warning that further loss of air links would harm the country.
Industry representatives stressed that member airlines had only briefly halted operations and remained committed to restoring services when conditions improve.
Escalating Conflict
US-Venezuela relations have deteriorated amid American naval deployments in the region, which Washington claims aims to combat drug trafficking.
Naval operations have included numerous interventions against alleged narcotics shipments in Caribbean waters since the beginning of fall.
Political Standoff
National leader Nicolás Maduro has strongly condemned both the military strikes and American deployment, accusing Washington of seeking regime change.
In recent statements, Maduro declared that "Nobody can overcome Venezuela, we are invincible."
American officials has consistently labeled Maduro as an illegitimate leader, referencing disputed re-election that global monitors deemed flawed.
Amid conflicts, American leader Donald Trump has not ruled out the option for dialogue with Maduro, suggesting that "at some point, we will talk with him."
