Amid heightened military activity and a significant buildup of American forces in the region, six airlines have canceled flights to Venezuela, following a warning from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA urged civilian aircraft to exercise caution due to the worsening security situation, which could pose a risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, arrival, and departure phases, and at airports and on the ground. This decision comes as the U.S. intensifies its efforts to curb drug trafficking in the region, sparking fears in Caracas that regime change is the ultimate goal. The U.S. has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group, Navy warships, and stealth aircraft, while also considering psychological warfare tactics such as dropping leaflets on Venezuela's capital city of Caracas. These actions have led to a tense atmosphere, with the Trump administration accusing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of operating a drug cartel and offering a $50 million reward for his arrest. However, a new CBS News poll reveals that most Americans would oppose U.S. military action in Venezuela, highlighting the complex and controversial nature of the situation.
