Airlines have ceased Venezuelan flights following a U.S. aviation safety alert, causing disruptions to travel to the country as the Trump administration intensifies its pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.
At least three airlines—Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal—canceled departures from Caracas on Saturday. Other international carriers also adjusted their schedules through Monday.
This flight disruption also affected the U.K. and Europe, occurring concurrently with the administration’s decision to label the Venezuelan group known as the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.
TAP stated that its flight decision was in response to U.S. advisories indicating that safety could not be assured, according to Reuters.
Spain’s Iberia announced it would suspend flights to Caracas beginning Monday “until further notice,” though its Saturday service to Madrid operated as planned, the report noted.
Copa Airlines and Wingo maintained their operations, while LATAM canceled its Sunday flight bound for Bogotá.
These airline changes largely came after a warning was issued to aircraft operating within or over Venezuelan airspace.
The FAA had previously warned airlines on November 22 about flying over Venezuela, issuing a notice that urged them to “exercise caution” due to a “potentially hazardous situation” in the region.
This advisory coincides with a significant increase in the U.S. military presence, including the deployment of bombers, warships, and Marines, as part of a campaign targeting drug-trafficking operations near the region and involving airstrikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
On Monday, the formal designation of the Cartel de los Soles was announced in the Federal Register.
The Cartel de los Soles, or “Cartel of the Suns,” refers to a network of Venezuelan government and military officials involved in drug trafficking.
The Secretary of State had stated last week that the Cartel de los Soles and other cartels in Venezuela were “responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”
On Monday, travel guidance was quickly updated. Germany indicated the situation remained “tense” and could worsen.
Meanwhile, the U.K. informed travelers on Sunday that flights were being canceled with little notice.
“Some airlines have canceled flights at short notice,” an advisory stated. “If you have an upcoming flight to or from Venezuela, you should stay in touch with your airline or travel agency,” it further advised.