The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an unprecedented airspace restriction early Saturday, prohibiting all US aircraft from operating at any altitude within Venezuelan territory. This decisive action was triggered by multiple security alerts stemming from unexplained explosions and apparent military movements observed in the capital city of Caracas.
The flight ban was formally communicated through four separate Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) issued approximately at 1:00 AM Eastern Time (0600 GMT). These advisories specifically cover four critical flight information regions associated with Venezuelan airspace management: San Juan, Piarco, Maiquetia, and Curacao.
Eyewitness accounts from Caracas described low-flying military aircraft and substantial smoke plumes following series of loud detonations that shook the city in the early hours of Saturday. The nature and origin of these explosions remained unclear, though they coincided with reports of heightened military activity throughout the region.
Adding to the geopolitical tension, former US President Donald Trump claimed via his Truth Social platform that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife had been captured and transported out of the country. These assertions, while unverified by independent sources, contributed to the atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding Venezuela’s political stability.
The FAA’s decision reflects growing international concern about the safety of civilian aviation operations in airspace potentially compromised by military conflict or political instability. Aviation experts note that such comprehensive restrictions are typically reserved for situations presenting immediate and credible threats to aircraft safety.