International airlines ignore Trump’s ban on Venezuelan airspace

SANAA, Nov. 29 (YPA) – Several international airlines maintained their flight schedules to the capital, Caracas, in defiance of an unprecedented decision issued earlier on Saturday by US President Donald Trump to completely close Venezuelan airspace.

Data from Caracas International Airport and flight schedules reveal that several airlines, including Turkish Airlines from Havana, Copa Airlines from Panama, and Wingo from Bogota, are preparing to continue landing in Venezuela in the coming days, ignoring the escalating tensions.

Trump had ignited the situation earlier with a strongly worded message on his Truth Social platform, stating: “To all airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers… consider the airspace over Venezuela completely closed.”

This warning followed previous US warnings to major airlines about a potentially dangerous situation resulting from the deteriorating security situation and increased military activity within and around the country.

In response, Venezuela announced the withdrawal of operating rights from six airlines that had suspended their flights following US warnings, in a move seen as a direct response to the US escalation.

Spain and Portugal have also advised airlines not to fly over Venezuelan airspace in the coming days, amid European fears of the crisis widening.

These developments come as Trump continues his policy of military pressure, having authorized strikes since last September against boats that Washington accuses of drug trafficking in Venezuelan waters in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the destruction of dozens of boats and the deaths of more than 80 people.