Venezuela’s civil aviation authority (Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil - INAC) has told international airlines that they must resume flights to the country within 48 hours, or risk losing their operating permits.

The instruction came after several international carriers cancelled flights to and from Venezuela after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a NOTAM on November 21 about a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over the Maiquetía region.

Since September, the United States has increased its military presence in the region, and has executed at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, combating the perceived role of the Nicolás Maduro regime in supplying illegal drugs to Americans.

Over the last few days, Iberia, GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, avianca airlines, LATAM Airlines Group, TAP Air Portugal, Air Europa, Turkish Airlines, and Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas have cancelled flights to Venezuela. The only non-Venezuelan carriers that currently keep on flying to the country are Copa Airlines and subsidiary Wingo (Panama).

An Iberia spokesperson told Reuters that the suspension of flights would last until at least December 1. GOL cancelled flights on November 25 and 26, and Turkish Airlines has cancelled flights until November 28. Plus Ultra told ch-aviation that they are analysing the situation.