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The Panamanian airline Copa Airlines announced the extension of the temporary suspension of its flights to and from Caracas until January 15, 2026, due to "operational conditions" at the Maiquetía International Airport.
The Panamanian airline had already limited its operations to Venezuela due to logistical and regulatory challenges, which are exacerbated in a context of rising tension in the Caribbean.
The decision comes at a time of heightened tension in the Caribbean, marked by the Operation Southern Lance, a strategic offensive led by the United States and several allied countries to contain drug trafficking networks, arms trafficking, and illegal activities linked to authoritarian governments in the region.
The regime of Nicolás Maduro has reacted with evident nervousness to the deployment, denouncing an "imperial threat" and accusing Washington of trying to politically isolate Venezuela.
In its statement, Copa Airlines announced that, in response to demand during this period, it will increase flight frequencies between Panama and Cúcuta (Colombia), a route that has become an alternative for Venezuelan travelers.
On December 16, 2025, the company conducted a test flight with a cargo aircraft to La Chinita airport in Maracaibo as part of the evaluation of new operational options.
The airline offered affected passengers the option to change dates, modify their departure or arrival locations, request future credit, or obtain refunds for tickets through its official website [www.copa.com](http://www.copa.com).
Aviation analysts consulted indicate that this prolonged suspension reflects the fragility of the Venezuelan air environment, shaped by the decisions of the Chavista regime, the lack of security guarantees, and the rising military tensions in the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, Caracas's disconnection from the rest of the continent intensifies the international isolation of Maduro's government and further complicates the mobility of citizens and businesses in the region.
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