Overview
- Iberia, TAP, Latam, Avianca, GOL, and Caribbean suspended services on Saturday, according to Venezuela’s aviation association, which gave no end date.
- The FAA advised aircraft transiting Venezuelan airspace to exercise caution due to a deteriorating security environment and increased military activity.
- U.S. deployments in recent weeks include multiple warships and combat aircraft, with the carrier USS Gerald R. Ford now operating in the Caribbean.
- U.S. forces have repeatedly struck boats of alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September, resulting in dozens of deaths.
- Reuters reported unnamed officials say a new phase targeting Venezuela is being prepared, possibly beginning with covert actions; the Pentagon deferred to the White House and the CIA declined comment.