Six international airlines have suspended flights to Venezuela after the United States warned of a "potentially dangerous situation" due to "increased military activity" in the country.
Among the companies that have suspended flights are Iberia, TAP, LATAM, Avianca, GOL and Caribbean Airlines, including Saturday and the following days. TAP said it was suspending flights scheduled for this weekend and Tuesday, while Iberia announced the suspension until further notice.
The decisions came amid rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela, where Washington has sent troops and its largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean as part of an anti-drug operation that Caracas sees as an attempt to force the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro.
Since the operation began, the US military has carried out at least 21 raids on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, killing at least 83 people. The FAA has also warned pilots to exercise extreme caution when flying over Venezuela.
Tensions between the two countries have been ongoing since Chavez and then Maduro came to power, while US administrations have imposed harsh economic sanctions on Venezuela.
Maduro has declared his readiness for dialogue, but has warned that any foreign intervention will find his country prepared to defend itself. Meanwhile, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has called for respecting the will of the citizens and reforming the oil sector, opening up opportunities for foreign investment.