The FAA has issued a 60-day warning to airlines citing potential hazards from military operations spanning Mexico, Central America, northern South America, and adjacent Pacific airspace amid heightened regional tensions.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday cautioned commercial carriers that military operations across wide swaths of Central and South America could endanger civilian flights, issuing formal Notices to Airmen that cover Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, Colombia, and portions of airspace over the eastern Pacific, according to a notice the agency has warned airlines about. The advisories take effect immediately and are set to remain in place for 60 days.
The action follows a recent near-miss involving a JetBlue passenger aircraft that was forced to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a U.S. military tanker plane operating near Venezuela. The tanker was not broadcasting an active transponder signal at the time, raising concerns about situational awareness for civilian pilots in contested or congested airspace.
After the U.S. intervention in Venezuela earlier this month, the FAA imposed flight restrictions across much of the Caribbean, a move that resulted in hundreds of cancellations as airlines adjusted routes to comply with safety directives. Aviation officials said the latest warnings reflect ongoing operational risks tied to military movements rather than a single isolated incident.
Regional tensions have remained elevated since the U.S. operation at the beginning of January aimed at deposing Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro. President Donald Trump has since signaled that additional actions could be considered elsewhere in the region, including Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico.
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked directly whether the United States would take military action against Colombia. “It sounds good to me,” the president replied. He added, “Colombia is very sick too, run by a sick man [President Gustavo Petro], who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And he’s not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you.”
Trump also warned that the United States might have “to do something with Mexico,” saying the Mexican government has not done enough to combat drug cartels. “Mexico has to get their act together because they’re pouring through Mexico, and we’re going to have to do something,” he said. “We’d love Mexico to do it, they’re capable of doing it but unfortunately, the cartels are very strong in Mexico.”
The president said he had offered U.S. military assistance to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on multiple occasions but said she was “just not willing” and “a little afraid.”
Asked whether military action might be necessary against Cuba, Trump said he expects the government there to collapse without U.S. intervention. “They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. They’re not getting any of it. I think it’s just going to fall. I don’t think we need any action.”
Aviation authorities said the FAA advisories are intended to give airlines advance notice to plan routes and assess risk as military activity continues to shift across the region. Airlines operating in the affected airspace are expected to monitor updates closely and make operational adjustments as needed while the warnings remain in effect.