Spanish airline Iberia has cancelled all commercial flights to Venezuela, with the first scheduled service set to resume operations only after a thorough assessment of the evolving situation. The decision, announced on Saturday, November 22 , affects the carrier’s first flight for some time, originally planned for Monday, November 24. However, increased US military presence in the Gulf of Mexico has made the Spanish flag carrier think twice about direct fights to Caracas.
The cancellation comes in direct response to a safety advisory issued Friday by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which recommended airlines take “exercise extreme caution” when operating in or overflying the Maiquetía Flight Information Region—the airspace controlled by Venezuela that extends into parts of the southern and eastern Caribbean.
Iberia’s decision directly related to US military movements
The FAA warning brings to light a “potentially dangerous situation” stemming from deteriorating security conditions and increased military activity in and around Venezuela. It explicitly said risks to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflights, arrivals, departures, and even while on the ground at regional airports. The advisory cited potential satellite navigation interference and ongoing military exercises as key concerns.
Iberia confirmed that it is aligning its decision with measures taken by other international carriers, several of which have also suspended or rerouted flights to Venezuela in recent days.
The timing of the FAA notice coincides with a significant US military buildup in the broader Caribbean region, widely interpreted as part of Washington’s ongoing pressure campaign against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Iberia stated it will continue monitoring developments on the ground and in Venezuelan airspace before announcing any resumption of service. No specific timeline has been provided for the potential restart of flights.
According to Venezuelans on the ground, it has been long known in the region that since the US quelled the direct traffic of cocaine from Colombia to the United States, that the cartels have been using Venezuela to transport the contraband through the country, and then by boat to Trinidad and Tobago, and onto other destinations from there. The current, and well-publicised attacks on boats by the US, is believed to be related.
The question raised by Iberia’s announcement is of whether the US is poised to take direct action against the Maduro regime in the coming days.
