The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, has ordered the implementation of a special plan to facilitate the return of Venezuelan citizens affected by the suspension of international flights to the country.
The measure was announced by statements of the Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who detailed that the plan aims to guarantee the return of Venezuelan nationals stranded abroad and expedite the itineraries of those who need to leave the national territory. It is noteworthy that this decision comes after warnings from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to exercise extreme caution when flying over Venezuelan airspace.
Likewise, the high-ranking official indicated that Venezuela has activated multilateral mechanisms in response to what she described as “an illegitimate and unlawful action” by the United States. In this context, Vice President Rodríguez stated that the U.S. government would be pleasing requests from the Venezuelan opposition to block Venezuelan airspace.
Furthermore, Venezuelan authorities have revoked flight authorizations for several international airlines, including Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, and Avianca, accusing them of participating in “acts of state terrorism.” Additionally, the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics had established a 48-hour deadline for the resumption of operations, under threat of permanent cancellation of operating permits.
Finally, the situation has prompted reactions from international organizations and foreign governments, who have recommended reconsidering the measures and avoiding travel to Venezuela while bilateral tensions persist. Ultimately, the special repatriation plan represents the national government’s response to the complex international aviation situation.