CARACAS, Venezuela — In a significant development, six international airlines have suspended their flights to Venezuela following a warning from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about heightened military activity and deteriorating security in the region. The airlines affected include Spain’s Iberia, Portugal’s TAP, Chile’s LATAM, Colombia’s Avianca, Brazil’s GOL, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean Airlines, according to Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Venezuelan Airlines Association (ALAV). The duration of these suspensions remains unspecified. Meanwhile, Panama’s Copa Airlines, Spain’s Air Europa and PlusUltra, Turkish Airlines, and Venezuela’s LASER continue to operate flights. The FAA’s advisory, issued on Friday, cautioned civilian aircraft in Venezuelan airspace about potential risks at all altitudes, including during takeoff, landing, and overflight, as well as threats to grounded aircraft and airports. This warning comes amid a major US military buildup in the region, including the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group, Navy warships, and stealth aircraft. While Washington claims these measures are aimed at combating drug trafficking, they have raised concerns in Caracas about potential regime change. Additionally, a US terrorism designation targeting a drug cartel allegedly led by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro takes effect Monday, fueling speculation about possible military action. Since early September, US forces have conducted strikes against over 20 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in more than 80 deaths. However, the US has not provided concrete evidence linking these vessels to drug smuggling, exacerbating regional tensions.