The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a stern advisory on Friday, urging pilots to exercise heightened vigilance when navigating Venezuelan airspace. This warning stems from the deteriorating security landscape and increased military operations in the region, which could jeopardize aircraft at all altitudes, including those taking off, landing, or stationed on the ground. The FAA’s alert underscores the volatile environment surrounding Venezuela, where unspecified threats loom large. This development coincides with the Trump administration’s intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom the U.S. does not recognize as the legitimate leader. Maduro faces narcoterrorism charges in the U.S., further complicating bilateral relations. In a show of force, the U.S. military has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and several destroyers to the Caribbean Sea, marking the largest U.S. military presence in the region in decades. Additionally, the U.S. has conducted bomber flights near Venezuela’s coast, simulating attack scenarios as part of training exercises. The Trump administration has also targeted small boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking, resulting in over 80 fatalities since early September. Mary Schiavo, former inspector general for the Department of Transportation, noted that such FAA warnings are common during military conflicts but emphasized the importance of pilots adhering to them. While the Pentagon redirected inquiries to the FAA, the agency confirmed the warning’s issuance and its 90-day validity, leaving the underlying motivations for the alert open to interpretation.
FAA warns all pilots of risks of flying over Venezuela over ‘worsening security situation’
