FAA Issues New Warning Over Flights Near Venezuela as US War Fears Surge
By Jack Hobbs
The Federal Aviation Administration issued an updated warning regarding flights to Venezuela as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
In a statement put out by the administration, plane operators have been “advised to exercise caution when operating in the Maiquetia flight information region (SVZM FIR) at all altitudes due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela.”
It continues, “Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival and departure phases of flight, and/or airports and aircraft on the ground.”
“Refer to the background information notice for additional information on threat concerns for U.S. civil aviation operations in the affected airspace.”
According to the notice, airlines must provide the FAA with 72 hours’ notice of planes entering or leaving the U.S. from the country. “Report any safety/security incidents observed/experienced while operating in the affected airspace to the FAA’s Washington Operations Center,” the message ended.
The statement was released seemingly in conjunction with a statement regarding an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region. “Since September 2025, there has been an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR), as well as activity associated with increasing Venezuela military readiness,” the statement said.
According to the notice, airlines must provide the FAA with 72 hours’ notice of planes entering or leaving the U.S. from the country
“Some civil aircraft recently reported GNSS interference while transiting the SVZM FIR, which, in some cases, caused lingering effects throughout the flight,” it added. “GNSS jammers and spoofers can affect aircraft out to 250 nautical miles and can impact a wide variety of critical communication, navigation, surveillance, and safety equipment on aircraft.”
“Additionally, since early September, Venezuela has conducted multiple military exercises and directed the mass mobilization of thousands of military and reserve forces,” it added. “While Venezuela has at no point expressed an intent to target civil aviation, the Venezuelan military possesses advanced fighter aircraft and multiple weapons systems capable of reaching or exceeding civil aircraft operating altitudes, as well as potential low-altitude risk from man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and anti-aircraft artillery.”
“The FAA will continue to monitor the risk environment for U.S. civil aviation operating in the region and make adjustments, as appropriate, to safeguard U.S. civil aviation,” the statement finished.
The warning comes after several strikes by the U.S. on alleged drug trafficking boats.
U.S. closes in
It was reported that several U.S. Naval vessels have been captured on film near Venezuela’s coastline amid emerging intelligence suggesting President Trump has authorized a CIA operation within the country’s borders. Fresh footage reveals a destroyer and an amphibious assault vessel positioned in Caribbean waters as anxieties over a potential U.S. ground invasion escalate in Caracas.
The video surfaced alongside a new New York Times investigation alleging Trump has greenlit CIA preparations for covert missions inside Venezuela to intensify pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. President Trump branded Maduro a “terrorist” one day prior to the report’s publication, and declined to dismiss the prospect of sending U.S. military forces to Venezuela, reports the Mirror US.
