US Aviation Administration Warns of Risks of Flying Over Venezuela

SadaNews - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States has urged pilots to "exercise caution" in Venezuelan airspace "due to the deteriorating security situation and increased military activity."

The message stated that unspecified threats "could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes," as well as to aircraft taking off and landing in Venezuela, and even to aircraft on the ground.

This warning comes at a time when Washington is intensifying its pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The United States has conducted bomber flights along the Venezuelan coast and sent an aircraft carrier to the region.

A former inspector general at the Department of Transportation stated that the FAA issues this type of notice whenever military conflict occurs.

Mary Schiavo said, "I wouldn’t necessarily consider that there is any kind of imminent attack, because I have seen these reports issued several times before. But as a pilot, I will definitely take it into account."

Schiavo added that the United States may be anticipating military action from Venezuela, or perhaps planning further actions against drug boats, and it is difficult to decipher this notice and understand what lies behind it.