Iberia and other airlines cancel commercial flights to Venezuela following a warning from the U.S.

Passengers with flights scheduled to or from Caracas are facing new cancellations and increasing uncertainty this weekend, following the temporary suspension of operations by six international airlines in Venezuela due to a security warning issued by the United States.

According to the agency EFE, the Spanish airline Iberia, the Portuguese TAP, the Colombian Avianca, the Trinidadian Caribbean Airlines, the Brazilian GOL, and the Chilean LATAM suspended their flights to and from Venezuela this Saturday.

The decision came after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States alerted about an "increase in military activity" and a deterioration of safety conditions in the airspace of the Caribbean nation.

The president of the Airlines Association of Venezuela (ALAV), Marisela de Loaiza, confirmed to EFE that the six airlines chose to cancel their operations in light of the warning, which particularly affects the Maiquetía flight information region, where international arrivals and departures are concentrated.

The Spanish newspaper El País also reported that the FAA has not prohibited flights over Venezuela, but has advised airlines to "exercise extreme caution" due to "a potential risk situation" associated with the increase in military maneuvers within or around Venezuelan territory.

The notice, which will be in effect until February 19, also requires companies to provide 72 hours' notice if they plan to enter Venezuelan airspace.

The regional context adds greater concern. El País notes that the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, the largest and most modern in the world, recently joined the naval deployment of Washington in the Caribbean as part of Operation Southern Lance, a campaign that the United States presents as a fight against drug trafficking, but which has generated political tensions and speculations about possible actions against the government of Nicolás Maduro.

The FAA also mentioned that since September, there have been reported interferences with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in Venezuela, which could jeopardize air route planning. Additionally, it cited "activity associated with increasing military preparations," including maneuvers and troop mobilizations.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Civil Aviation of Venezuela has not provided official information regarding the measures taken following the U.S. alert. ALAV urged passengers with tickets in the coming days or weeks to stay attentive to the announcements from each airline and to remain patient in the face of possible changes.