The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States issued an aviation alert on Friday (November 21st), warning airlines of “potential hazards” when flying over Venezuelan airspace and urging pilots to remain vigilant. This comes as tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalate, with the U.S. significantly increasing its military presence in the Caribbean region.
The FAA alert highlighted the ongoing deterioration of security conditions within and around Venezuela, with a significant increase in military activities posing risks to all types of flying aircraft at all altitudes. The announcement emphasized that the threats are not limited to cruising phases, as takeoff, landing, and even airport parking could be affected.
The FAA alert is valid for 90 days and, although it does not prohibit overflights, U.S. airlines are required to notify the FAA at least 72 hours in advance when planning to fly over Venezuelan airspace.
Since September, there has been an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference events within Venezuela, causing sustained disruptions in some cases.
Additionally, the Venezuelan military has conducted numerous military exercises recently, mobilizing thousands of active-duty and reservist personnel. Venezuela’s military also possesses fighter jets and weapon systems capable of reaching or surpassing civilian flight altitudes. While Venezuela has not indicated intent to target civilian aviation, the FAA still urges caution.
Since 2019, U.S. passenger and cargo airlines have ceased direct flights to Venezuela, although some South American routes may still cross over the country’s airspace.
In response to potential risks, major U.S. airlines have taken action to avoid Venezuelan airspace. American Airlines stated on Friday that they had stopped overflights of Venezuela in October, while Delta Air Lines had already ceased overflights before that.
United Airlines has not yet responded to Reuters’ request for comment.
At the time of this warning, the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean region is at its largest scale in nearly a decade. The U.S. military has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford along with at least 8 warships and F-35 fighter jets.
The U.S. military has also carried out bombing missions along the Venezuelan coast, sinking vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
In recent times, the Trump administration’s pressure on Venezuela has been escalating. President Trump has mentioned considering “ground strikes” against the Latin American country to combat drug trafficking and confirmed authorizing the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct operations in Venezuela.
On November 17th, Trump stated that he is considering dialogue with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro but did not rule out sending U.S. troops to Venezuela.
The U.S. does not recognize Maduro, who has been in power in Venezuela since 2013, as the legitimate leader. Maduro has long faced accusations of electoral fraud and drug trafficking from the U.S. government and international human rights organizations.
Maduro has stated that the country has deployed its military, police, and civil defense personnel across 284 “fronts” nationwide to address the tense situation.
On the domestic political front, House Democrats attempted to block funding on Friday, hoping to halt U.S. military actions against Venezuela.
Meanwhile, the House passed a bipartisan resolution condemning “socialist terror.”
The resolution categorizes Maduro and former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez as among the historical figures who have served the socialist ideology and committed major crimes, listing others such as Lenin, Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un, and Daniel Ortega.
The resolution highlights that since implementing socialism, Venezuela has transformed from a once prosperous nation into the world’s highest inflation-ridden failed state.