The United States has suspended all flights to and from Venezuela – ElSol.com.ar – Diario de Mendoza, Argentina

The United States announced on Wednesday the "immediate suspension" of all flights to and from Venezuela, before what they see as "conditions" that threaten the safety of travelers, aircraft and crews.

The decision was announced in a statement by Interior Security Department (DHS) interim secretary Kevin McAleenan, who announced the suspension of all "commercial pbadenger and cargo flights".

"This determination is based on current political instability, increased tensions in Venezuela and the unintended risk badociated with air operations," the statement said.

The information indicated that the suspension of flights would remain "in force indefinitely" and indicated that the State, Transport and National Security departments would continue to monitor the conditions in the oil country and, if necessary, re-examine the measure. .

The Ministry of Transport said in another statement that its owner, Elaine L. Chao, "issued an order to suspend any air service between the United States and Venezuela."

This communication explained that the federal law allows for the suspension of the services of foreign and US airlines between the United States. and a foreign country, when airport conditions threaten "the safety of pbadengers, aircraft or crews".

According to the bill of lading, this measure is in addition to the notification issued on May 1 by the Federal Aviation Administration, which banned aircraft operators and pilots certified by the United States. which will fly below 26,000 feet above Venezuelan territory, "also for security reasons".

On March 28, the American airline American Airlines announced the indefinite suspension of its flights between the United States. and Venezuela, already temporarily suspended since March 15, citing "security reasons".

The company, based in Fort Worth, Texas, flew from Miami to Caracas and to the city of Maracaibo.

American Airlines was the only major airline in the United States to have retained flights to Venezuela from Miami after United and Delta suspended service in 2017.

USA and Venezuela suspended diplomatic relations after the government of President Donald Trump recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela.

In addition to this decision, the Trump administration has announced various sanctions against officials and family members of people related to the government of President Nicolás Maduro, who has accused the United States of interfering in the internal affairs of his country.

In recent days, bilateral tensions have been concentrated at the Caracas Embbady in Washington, from where Maduro-accredited staff members, who are occupied by a group of activists linked to the Sovereignty, are coming from. Venezuelan.