The United States urged airlines not to fly over Venezuelan airspace.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a warning to airlines about the risks of operating in Venezuelan airspace, amid rising military and technological tensions that have raised concerns in the region.

The notice, which will remain in effect until February 19, urges companies to "exercise extreme caution" when flying over the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR) due to a "deteriorating security situation" and the intensification of military activity in Venezuela and its surroundings.

The alert comes as the United States increases its military presence in the Caribbean through the Southern Command, deploying bombers, warships, and Marine units as part of Operation Southern Lance, a campaign Washington has launched to combat drug trafficking and "narco-terrorist" networks in the region.

In its notification, the FAA warns that threats in the region could affect civilian aircraft at all altitudes, not only during flight, but also during arrival and departure phases and ground operations. Although the agency is not imposing a total ban, it requires airlines to provide at least 72 hours' notice if they plan to enter Venezuelan airspace.

One of the reasons for concern is the increase in interference with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), detected since September 2023. The FAA confirms that several commercial aircraft have reported failures during their journeys through the area, some with persistent effects throughout the flight.

According to the aviation authority, the use of jammers and signal spoofers can affect aircraft at distances of up to 250 nautical miles, compromising essential navigation, communication, and surveillance equipment.

This is compounded by the mass mobilization of Venezuelan troops and the conduct of multiple military exercises in recent weeks. Although the Venezuelan government has not expressed any intention to attack civil aviation, the FAA warns that the country's forces possess advanced fighter jets and systems capable of reaching or exceeding commercial flight altitudes, as well as portable weaponry that could pose a risk at low altitude.

Although U.S. airlines suspended their direct flights to Venezuela in 2019, some continued to fly over the country on routes to other South American destinations. American Airlines stated that it stopped doing so last month, while Delta indicated that it has avoided Venezuelan airspace "for some time." United Airlines has not commented.

The FAA notice amplifies the climate of unease caused by U.S. military operations in the Caribbean. Under Operation Southern Lance, Washington has sunk at least twenty narco-terrorist vessels.

Meanwhile, the State Department has designated groups such as Tren de Aragua and, more recently, the Cartel de los Soles as terrorist organizations, accusing the latter of being led by Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

In neighboring countries, such as Colombia, authorities have begun to adjust procedures and air routes to ensure operational safety. The Colombian aviation authority asked airlines to report any incident in the affected area and to communicate necessary modifications for their flights in advance.

The operational consequences of the notice have already become visible. Airlines such as Iberia, Avianca, TAP, and Gol canceled their scheduled flights to Caracas for this Saturday, while other companies continue operations with adjustments.

The Venezuelan Airline Association warned that activities unrelated to civil aviation could affect international flights and asked passengers to stay alert to communications from their airlines. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan National Institute of Civil Aeronautics has not issued any information on possible response measures.