Venezuela has banned six major international airlines from landing in the country after they failed to meet a 48-hour deadline to resume flights there.
The airlines had temporarily suspended their routes into the capital, Caracas, after the US warned of heightened military activity in the area as its forces ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Angered by this, the Venezuelan government issued the carriers with an ultimatum that expired on Wednesday. While a number of smaller airlines continue to fly to Venezuela, thousands of passengers have been affected.
The US warning comes as it builds up its military presence in the Caribbean under the guise of targeting drug trafficking.
Venezuela's civil aviation authority announced on Wednesday that Iberia, TAP Portugal, Gol, Latam, Avianca and Turkish Airlines would lose their landing and take-off rights with immediate effect.
Referring to the heightened US military activity off the coast of Venezuela, it also accused the airlines of joining the actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States government and unilaterally suspending air commercial operations.
The US has deployed 15,000 troops and the USS Gerald Ford to within striking distance of Venezuela, raising alarms among officials.
Despite stressing their intent to restore operations, attempts by Iata to calm tensions did not appease the Venezuelan government.
Recent discussions have seen both Maduro and US President Trump exhibit a willingness to engage in dialogue, though the situation remains volatile.
Amid rising tensions, the US Federal Aviation Authority warned flight operators to exercise caution due to the worsening security situation in the region.
