Several major airlines have halted Venezuelan flights after a US aviation safety alert, disrupting travel to the country and increasing the Trump administration’s pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.
According to ReutersAt least three airlines, Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca and TAP Air Portugal, canceled their departures from Caracas on Saturday, while other international airlines have made changes through Monday.
The flight disruption also affected Britain and Europe, coinciding with the government’s decision to designate the Venezuelan group known as the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.
TRUMP’S STRIKE ON CARTEL SHIP OFF VENEZUELA SENDS WARNING TO MADURO: ‘NO SANCTUARY’
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned airlines against flying over Venezuela and urged them to “exercise caution” due to the “potentially dangerous situation” in the region. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, file)
TAP said the flight decision followed US advisories indicating safety could not be guaranteed, Reuters reported.
Spain’s Iberia said it would suspend flights to Caracas from Monday “until further notice”, although the Saturday service to Madrid went as planned, according to the report.
Copa Airlines and Wingo continued operations, while LATAM canceled its Sunday flight to Bogotá.
The changes at airlines mainly came after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to aircraft operating in or over Venezuelan airspace.
TRUMP ENDS VENEZUELA TALKS, MILITARY OPTIONS WEAVING, NEW REPORT
The American Airlines plane sits on the tarmac of Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela. (AP)
The advisory comes as the US has significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying bombers, warships and Marines as part of a campaign targeting drug trafficking near the region and airstrikes on suspected drug smuggling ships.
On Monday, the State Department formally announced the designation of the Cartel de los Soles in the Federal Register.
MARCO RUBIO SAYS NICOLÁS MADURO’S CARTEL DE LOS SOLES IS DESIGNATED A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
The USS Gravely and several other destroyers have been deployed to the US Southern Command as the Trump administration battles drug cartels and President Nicolás Maduro. (Getty Images)
The Cartel de los Soles, or “Cartel of the Suns,” refers to a network of government and military officials in Venezuela involved in drug trafficking.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said in a statement last week that the Cartel de los Soles and other cartels in Venezuela were “responsible for terrorist violence in our hemisphere and for drug trafficking into the United States and Europe.”
On Monday, European governments quickly updated their travel guidelines. Germany warned that the situation in Venezuela remains “tense” and could deteriorate further.
Meanwhile, Britain informed travelers on Sunday that flights were being canceled at short notice.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“Some airlines have canceled flights at short notice,” the spokesperson said British government advised. “If you have a flight to or from Venezuela, you should liaise with your airline or travel agent,” it says.
