In November, the FAA warned pilots about flying over Venezuela, telling them to “exercise caution” because of the security situation and military activity in and around the South American country.
Now, in a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), the FAA is telling pilots to exercise caution in both Central and South America, as well as over the eastern Pacific.
“Potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of flight,” said the NOTAMs, which are in effect for 60 days. Such notices are issued routinely in any region where there are hostilities nearby.
The agency told USA Today in a statement, “The FAA issued flight advisory notices for specified areas of Mexico, Central American, Panama, Bog0ta, Guayaquil, and Mazatlán Oceanic Flight Regions, and in airspace within the eastern Pacific Ocean.”
The White House and the FAA have not responded to questions about what prompted these NOTAMs.
These notices come in the wake of a U.S. strike on Caracas, Venezuela on January 3, which resulted in the capture of its President, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. Since then, President Trump has made references to other countries that could face military action, including Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, and others.
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