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FAA Urges Pilots to Exercise Caution Over Venezuela Amid Rising Military Activity

The FAA has warned pilots to exercise caution when flying in and near Venezuela due to increased military activity and a worsening security environment. The advisory, effective until Feb. 19, 2026, warns of risks to aircraft at all altitudes in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region and notes recent reports of navigation interference. Several carriers have canceled some services, and U.S. officials are increasing operational pressure on Venezuelan authorities amid allegations of criminal ties.

06:23 AM, 11/23/2025Security

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an advisory urging pilots to "exercise caution" when operating in and near Venezuela, citing a deteriorating security environment and heightened military activity in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (FIR).

The advisory, released on Friday, warns that "threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes" and will remain in effect until Feb. 19, 2026. Several carriers, including LATAM and Iberia, have canceled some flights to and from Venezuela in response to the notice.

In accompanying background material, the FAA said that "since early September, Venezuela has conducted multiple military exercises and directed the mass mobilization of thousands of military and reserve forces." While Venezuelan authorities have not publicly indicated an intent to target civil aviation, the FAA cautioned that Venezuela's military operates advanced fighter aircraft and weapons systems capable of reaching or exceeding civil aviation operating altitudes. The advisory also flagged a potential low-altitude threat from man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) and anti-aircraft artillery.

The FAA additionally reported that some civilian aircraft transiting the region experienced navigation-system interference, with a few crews noting lingering effects for the remainder of their flights. The agency did not attribute those disruptions to a specific source in the advisory.

The advisory arrives amid increased diplomatic and operational pressure on Venezuelan authorities from the United States. U.S. officials have alleged links between elements of Venezuela's security apparatus and organized criminal networks—claims denied by Venezuela's government. Media reporting suggests U.S. authorities are preparing additional measures related to the situation, but details and timing remain unclear.

Since September, U.S. forces have conducted operations against multiple vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific; U.S. officials have described those actions as targeting alleged illicit networks. The FAA's warning emphasizes potential risks to civil aviation posed by concurrent military exercises, law-enforcement activity, and unexplained navigation interference in the region.

Pilots and operators planning flights that traverse the Maiquetía FIR should consult current NOTAMs and aeronautical information, coordinate with dispatch and air traffic services, and consider alternate routings or other risk-mitigation measures where appropriate.

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