(MENAFN) Venezuela has warned international airlines that suspended operations to the country following a US security alert that they will lose permission to fly to the nation if they do not resume service promptly.

According to reports, the Venezuelan Transport Ministry set a 48-hour deadline, which expires at 12 noon local time (1600 GMT) on Wednesday, for airlines to restart flights. The notice was reportedly communicated during a Monday meeting with airline representatives. A ministry source told EFE, “The Venezuelan state has taken a stand with the airlines and will take the corresponding actions. They have less than 24 hours left.”

The warning follows an alert issued last Friday by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which cautioned airlines about flying to Venezuela “due to the deteriorating security situation and increased military activity.” In response, several carriers—including TAP, LATAM, Avianca, Iberia, Gol, and Caribbean Airlines—suspended flights indefinitely.

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have intensified since US President Donald Trump ordered a military deployment in the Caribbean in August, citing efforts to combat drug trafficking allegedly linked to the Maduro government. Caracas insists that the US buildup is aimed at regime change rather than combating narcotics.

Since September, the US military has reportedly conducted 21 strikes against vessels claimed to be carrying drugs, resulting in 83 deaths and prompting allegations that the actions were unlawful. Trump has also suggested the possibility of targeting alleged drug trafficking operations on Venezuelan soil.

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