The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States issued a safety notice on Tuesday, December 16, warning airlines that the security situation in Venezuela is deteriorating. The FAA pointed out signs of “increased military activity” in the country’s vicinity.
According to the FAA, due to potential safety risks, pilots are urged to exercise caution when operating within the Maiquetia Flight Information Region (FIR) that covers Venezuelan airspace.
The FAA warning stated that unspecified threats could pose risks to “all aircraft at various altitudes, including those flying over the airspace, conducting flight operations, and parked on the ground or at airports.”
This advisory is valid until February 19, 2026, marking the second warning issued by the FAA this year regarding safety risks in Venezuelan airspace. Following a related announcement on November 22, several international airlines have already canceled flights to and from Venezuela, with some flights indefinitely suspended.
On November 29, U.S. President Donald Trump also declared that the airspace over Venezuela and its surrounding areas should be considered “completely closed,” although he did not disclose specific details.
Tensions between the Trump administration and the Maduro regime in Venezuela are escalating. The U.S. military has intensified its operations in the Caribbean Sea and conducted strikes against multiple vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
On December 10, the United States seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the tanker was involved in transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
In response, Venezuelan authorities condemned the U.S. seizure as “acts of international piracy” and accused the U.S. of theft.
On December 16, Trump announced that he had ordered a “comprehensive and complete blockade” along Venezuela’s coastline to intercept any “sanctioned oil tankers.”
Trump posted on Truth Social, stating, “Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest fleet in South American history. This fleet will only get larger, and they will be hit with unprecedented force until they return all the oil, land, and other assets they previously stole from us, back to the United States.”
Furthermore, Trump indicated that Washington has designated the Maduro regime as a “foreign terrorist organization” due to allegations of involvement in drug smuggling activities.
Following last year’s contentious presidential election, the U.S. no longer recognizes Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, accusing him of drug trafficking. However, Venezuela has denied these allegations.
On November 17, Trump expressed openness to dialogue with Maduro during a press briefing in the Oval Office but did not rule out the possibility of sending U.S. troops into Venezuela.
“We must address the issue in Venezuela. They have sent tens of thousands of criminals into our country,” he said.