Airlines pull Venezuela flights amid safety warning, as Trump ratchets up pressure on Maduro
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Several leading airlines have halted their flights to Venezuela in response to a recent safety warning issued by the U.S., significantly affecting travel to the nation amidst the Trump administration’s intensifying campaign against President Nicolás Maduro.

As reported by Reuters, at least three airlines, including Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal, suspended their flights departing from Caracas on Saturday. Other international carriers have also adjusted their schedules through Monday in response to the advisory.

The flight cancellations have had a ripple effect, impacting travel between Venezuela and the U.K. as well as Europe. This disruption aligns with the U.S. administration’s recent move to label the Venezuelan entity known as the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.

Runway Incident Boston

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a notice to airlines, advising them to “exercise caution” when flying over Venezuela due to the “potentially hazardous situation” in the area.

TAP Air Portugal stated that their decision to cancel flights was influenced by U.S. advisories suggesting that current conditions in Venezuela do not guarantee safety, according to Reuters.

Spain’s Iberia said it would suspend flights to Caracas starting Monday “until further notice,” though its Saturday service to Madrid operated as planned, per the report.

Copa Airlines and Wingo continued operations, while LATAM canceled its Sunday Bogotá-bound flight.

The airline changes primarily came after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to aircraft operating in or over Venezuelan airspace.

FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2007 file photo, an American Airlines plane sits on the tarmac at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela. American Airlines said Tuesday, June 17, 2014 that it will cut nearly 80 percent of its flights to Venezuela in a dispute over revenue being held by the South American country. (AP Photo/Rafael Moreno, File)

American Airlines plane sits on the tarmac at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela.  (AP)

As reported by Fox News Digital, the FAA had warned airlines Nov. 22, about flying over Venezuela, issuing a notice urging them to “exercise caution” due to the “potentially hazardous situation” in the region.

The advisory comes as the U.S. has significantly increased its military presence across the Caribbean deploying bombers, warships, and Marines as part of a campaign targeting drug-trafficking operating near the region and airstrikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels.

On Monday, the State Department went on to formally announce the designation of the Cartel de los Soles in the Federal Register.

USS Gravely and President Maduro

USS Gravely and several other destroyers have been deployed to U.S. Southern Command as the Trump administration takes on 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 engaged 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 throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”

On Monday, European governments quickly updated their travel guidance. Germany warned that Venezuela’s situation remained “tense” and could deteriorate further.

Meanwhile, the U.K. advised travelers Sunday that flights were being canceled on short notice.

“Some airlines have canceled flights at short notice,” the U.K. government advised. “If you have an upcoming flight to or from Venezuela, you should stay in touch with your airline or travel agency,” it said.

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