The Federal Aviation Administration has barred American commercial aircraft from flying at any altitude over Venezuela, citing serious safety concerns linked to “ongoing military activity.” The restriction, issued through a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), took effect for 23 hours starting at 2 a.m. local time on Saturday. Notably, the FAA’s advisory did not specify which military force was responsible for the activity prompting the ban.
The aviation restriction came as reports of explosions, air activity, and power outages spread across Caracas, intensifying speculation about a possible military escalation. According to Fox News, the United States military carried out strikes against targets in Venezuela, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. As of publication, neither the White House nor the Pentagon has officially confirmed the report.
Fox News said U.S. forces were involved in attacks following a turbulent night in and around Caracas, where residents reported multiple explosions, air raid sirens, and the sound of low-flying aircraft. Smoke was reportedly seen near major military installations, including La Carlota Air Base and the Fuerte Tiuna military complex. Several neighborhoods also experienced power outages, further adding to public alarm.
The Venezuelan government earlier accused Washington of launching what it described as a “military aggression,” claims that U.S. officials had not acknowledged publicly before the Fox News report surfaced. The situation escalated further when President Nicolás Maduro declared a national state of emergency late Friday night. Maduro ordered the activation of all national defense contingencies and called on political, military, and social forces to mobilize in response to the alleged attacks.
In an official statement, Venezuelan authorities claimed that incidents were not limited to Caracas but also occurred in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. However, independent confirmation of strikes in these regions remains limited.
