The Spanish Anti-Corruption Prosecutor is investigating whether the airline Plus Ultra diverted part of the bailout it received from the government of Pedro Sánchez during the pandemic, allegedly to launder funds embezzled from the CLAP food program and from gold sales by the Central Bank of Venezuela.
Washington has asked Caracas to authorize repatriation flights this very week, amid the de facto closure of Venezuelan airspace ordered by Donald Trump and the crisis generated by the suspension of routes to Spain. More than 70 deportation flights have landed at Maiquetía since both governments resumed migration cooperation.
This Saturday saw a significant escalation in tensions between the United States and Venezuela, marked by a post on X from President Donald Trump in which he declared that Venezuelan airspace was “totally closed” to airlines, pilots, traffickers, and other operations.
Venezuela’s National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) announced late on Wednesday evening the revocation of the concession for six airlines that suspended international flights with Venezuela: Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, Avianca, LATAM Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and GOL Linhas Aéreas.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Monday requested “clarity, dialogue, and flexibility” following the temporary suspension of flights in Venezuela. This came after the country’s aeronautical authority announced an ultimatum for the resumption of flight frequencies, warning that failure to comply would result in the suspension of traffic rights.
Turkish Airlines announced on Sunday that it is canceling its flights to Venezuela between November 24 and 28, joining five other airlines that have also temporarily suspended their operations due to the US military escalation in the Caribbean.
International air traffic to Venezuela suffered a blow on November 22, after four airlines suspended their flights following a security alert issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration.
On Sunday, Venezuela’s National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) announced the resumption of commercial flights with the Dominican Republic.
