Bogota, Colombia – December 4, 2025 – The final remaining international airlines serving Venezuela have suspended flights after U.S. President Donald Trump declared Venezuelan airspace off-limits, citing safety concerns. The decision affects travelers across South America, exacerbating disruptions for the Venezuelan diaspora ahead of the holiday season.

![Panama’s Copa Airlines aircraft at Tocumen International Airport, Panama City. Photo: Bienvenido Velasco/EPA]

Airlines Suspend Flights Over Navigation and Safety Concerns

Panamanian airline Copa Airlines and its Colombian low-cost subsidiary Wingo announced Wednesday evening that flights to and from Caracas would be temporarily suspended on December 4 and 5. Following suit, Colombian state carrier Satena halted its route to Valencia, Venezuela’s third-largest city, while Bolivian airline Boliviana de Aviación also canceled its Caracas service on Thursday.

In statements, Copa and Wingo explained:

“Due to intermittent problems with one of the navigation signals during flights to Caracas… we have taken the preventive decision to temporarily suspend flights. At no time was operational safety compromised.”

With these suspensions, no international airlines are currently operating routes to Venezuela, though some domestic carriers continue to run international flights.

Trump’s Airspace Ban and FAA Warnings

The flight suspensions follow a 90-day warning issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on November 21 regarding the risks of flying in Venezuelan airspace. The FAA cited:

• Heightened military activity
• Increased U.S. military presence in the Southern Caribbean
• Overall worsening security conditions

On Saturday, President Trump unilaterally declared Venezuelan airspace “closed in its entirety”, escalating travel restrictions and leaving international carriers with no option but to suspend operations. Copa, Wingo, Satena, and Boliviana were the last international carriers still flying to Venezuela prior to the closures.

Impact on Venezuelan Travelers

The cancellations have had immediate consequences for Venezuela’s diaspora, especially those trying to return home for the Christmas holidays. Many are now facing uncertainty and travel disruptions, with some forced to consider overland travel routes, which carry safety risks.

Juan Carlos Viloria Doria, vice president of Venezuelans in Barranquilla, said:

“Many people have shared their concerns over the cancellation of these flights. At this time of year, people want to reunite with family and friends. It is unfortunate that due to the political situation, Venezuelans must live with so much uncertainty.”

Colombia hosts approximately 2.8 million Venezuelan migrants, the largest Venezuelan diaspora in the world. The flight suspensions intensify tensions between Washington and Caracas and disrupt plans for hundreds of thousands of travelers across the region.

Regional Implications

The halting of flights adds to growing instability in Venezuela, which is already facing:

• Economic turmoil
• Political isolation
• Increasing U.S. sanctions and military pressure

Travelers are being urged to stay updated with official government announcements and coordinate with family networks to ensure safe passage during the ongoing airspace restrictions.

The suspension of international flights also highlights broader concerns over aviation safety, political instability, and U.S.-Venezuela relations, leaving airlines and passengers navigating an uncertain environment.