Approximately 1,500 travelers in Colombia have been affected by the decision of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue an international notice urging commercial flights to 'exercise extreme caution' when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean Sea, authorities reported on Monday. 'Airlines operating between Colombia and Venezuela have made autonomous decisions to protect the safety of their passengers and operations, which has led to cancellations and disruptions for approximately 1,500 travelers, mainly in Bogota,' stated the state-run Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) in a press release. The FAA explained on Friday that the deterioration of security conditions and the increase in military activity in and around Venezuela elevate the risk level for aircraft operating in that region. Flight Cancellations For this reason, Latam Airlines, the largest airline in Latin America, confirmed the cancellation of flights scheduled for Sunday and Monday from Bogota to Caracas. The Colombian airline Avianca also canceled its two daily flights to Venezuela, departing from Bogota to Caracas, starting on Saturday. 'However, some companies, such as the Colombian carriers Satena and Wingo, have maintained their regular operations,' the Colombian aviation authority stated on Monday. In response to the FAA's decision, Aerocivil emphasized that it has 'strengthened its surveillance, control, and communication capabilities to guarantee the safe provision of air navigation services in Colombian airspace.' 'A key meeting will be held on Monday with regional aviation authorities and affected airlines to coordinate mitigation measures, share real impact figures, and work towards the normalization of operations as soon as possible,' the information added. The flight cancellations coincide with the military deployment ordered last August by U.S. President Donald Trump in the Caribbean Sea, aimed at combating drug trafficking. However, the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro interprets this move as a 'threat' of 'invasion' and an attempt to foment a 'regime change' in the South American country.
