Venezuela’s civil aviation authority has banned six airlines from the country for colluding in alleged “acts of terrorism” waged by the US government and led by President Trump.
On Wednesday (November 26), Venezuela’s National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC) revoked the operating licences of Iberia, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, Gol, and LATAM Airlines.
“This revocation was due to their participation in the acts of state terrorism promoted by the United States government,” INAC said in a statement.
The announcement follows the airlines' decision to suspend all flights from Maiquetia Airport in Caracas due to the risk of Venezuelan airspace disruption.
The airlines had acted in response to an advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), published last Friday (November 21), telling all pilots to “exercise caution” when flying to, from or near Maiquetia Airport.
“Due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela, threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight,” the advisory said.
Under the Trump administration, the US has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean and launched strikes against vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking.
These include attacks on vessels tied to the Venezuelan government through its drug cartel sponsors, such as the Cartel de los Soles, which the US designated as a “foreign terrorist organisation” earlier this week.
As tensions between the two nations have risen, attention has focused on President Trump’s handling of the situation, which frequently alternates between hawkish and dovish.
In a press briefing on Air Force One on Tuesday (November 25), President Trump said he is open to talking to President Nicolas Maduro, but did not rule out direct military action against Venezuela.
“If we can save lives, if we can do things the easy way, that’s fine,” he said. "But if we have to do it the hard way, that’s fine too.”