Multiple international airlines have suspended flights to and from Venezuela following a new advisory issued Friday by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. The notice comes amid reports that the Trump administration is preparing to escalate covert actions aimed at toppling President Nicolás Maduro.
The Venezuelan Airlines Association (ALAV) confirmed that carriers from Spain, Portugal, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago have halted service after the U.S. effectively discouraged civilian aviation over Venezuelan airspace through its NOTAM, which will remain in place until February. The move has renewed speculation that Washington may be positioning itself closer to military action, though others argue it reflects a broader pressure campaign designed to weaken Maduro’s government.
In addition to the Venezuela advisory, the FAA issued a separate three-hour NOTAM on Sunday covering portions of the Gulf of Mexico — referred to by U.S. authorities as the Gulf of America — citing operational requirements for military activity. Reports suggest the notice related to refueling operations for American “show of force” flights, which have increased over the past two months.
U.S. media outlets on Sunday also reported that the administration is weighing a new phase of covert operations intended to destabilize the Venezuelan government. This phase would reportedly include expanded psychological and clandestine activities, with direct military action still under consideration.
Public support for intervention remains weak. Polling shows only about half of Republican voters favor limited action against Venezuela, while majorities of Democrats and independents oppose it by more than 70 percent. Support drops below 20 percent when Americans are asked about a full-scale invasion similar to the 2003 Iraq War. Analysts say these numbers may be contributing to hesitation within the administration as Trump’s party faces the likelihood of significant losses in next year’s midterm elections which will affect Trump's final 2 years in office.