As part of the actions taken to defend its sovereignty against US aggression, the Venezuelan government announced on Wednesday the revocation of the concessions of six airlines, accusing them of joining “acts of terrorism” promoted by Washington.
The airlines sanctioned by the Venezuelan Ministry of Transportation and the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) are Iberia (Spain), TAP (Portugal), Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines (Turkey), and Gol (Brazil).
Venezuela reported that the aforementioned airlines unilaterally suspended their commercial air operations to and from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, based on a notice issued by an Aeronautical Authority without jurisdiction in the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (FIR).
The decision was announced after the Venezuelan government gave the airlines that suspended their schedules a 48-hour deadline, which expired at noon on Wednesday, to resume operations in Venezuela.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that his country’s government “decides who flies and who doesn’t” and “reserves the right of admission.”
“The national government, in a sovereign decision, told the airlines: if you don’t resume flights within 48 hours, don’t resume them at all. You can keep your planes, and we’ll keep our dignity, and that’s it, no problem,” Cabello declared on his weekly program, “Con el mazo dando” (With the Sledgehammer), broadcast on the state-run channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).
Last week, several international airlines canceled flights to and from Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alerted operators to a “potential risk at any altitude.”
Specifically, the FAA recommended exercising caution when flying in the region due to the alleged “worsening security situation and increased military activity in and around Venezuela.”
Washington maintains a naval and air deployment in the Caribbean Sea, near Venezuelan waters, which the Caracas government denounces as a “threat” to create a scenario of violence to remove President Maduro from power.
IMAGE CREDIT: The Venezuelan government reports that the airlines unilaterally suspended their commercial flights to and from the South American country / photo: Iberia Airlines flight landing (Photo: AFP)
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
