The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to U.S. aircraft operators on Friday, urging them to "exercise caution" when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly near Mexico, Central America, and select regions of South America. This advisory stems from concerns regarding ongoing "military activities" and potential interference with satellite navigation systems.
This alert was conveyed through a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) released by the FAA. According to these notices, "Potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes," which includes critical phases of flight such as overflights and arrival and departure operations. The alerts are set to remain in effect for a duration of 60 days, a standard protocol in regions where military hostilities are present.
The FAA's notice follows nearly four months of U.S. military strikes targeting vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific, which the U.S. government claims were engaged in drug trafficking activities. The Trump administration reported that this military campaign involved 35 known strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least 115 individuals.
In November, the FAA had also cautioned pilots flying in Venezuelan airspace due to an "escalating security situation and increased military activity." This previous advisory highlighted ongoing tensions in the area, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance by commercial and private flight operators.
The situation escalated when, on January 3, the U.S. executed a "large-scale strike" throughout Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. During this operation, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and subsequently transported to New York. They now face federal charges related to drug trafficking.
A notable incident in December involved a JetBlue flight originating from Curaçao, which had to abruptly halt its ascent to avoid a collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker. This close encounter further underscores the increased risks present in the region, prompting the FAA's recent warnings.
The repeated advisories and military engagements reflect the volatile security climate in Central and South America, as the U.S. remains engaged in combatting drug trafficking and related criminal activities. As international tension continues to rise and military operations expand, the FAA's alerts serve as a crucial reminder for pilots operating in these regions.
