Venezuela Closes Its Airspace with Colombia: Impact and Context
The Venezuelan government announced the temporary closure of its airspace and land borders with Colombia for a period of 72 hours. This measure, which took effect on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 5:00 a.m., will last until Monday, January 13, at the same time. The decision, communicated through official diplomatic channels, has been justified by “internal reasons,” according to Venezuelan authorities.
Reasons for the Closure and Official Statements
The governor of the Táchira state, Freddy Bernal, confirmed that the action was taken under the instructions of President Nicolás Maduro. According to Bernal, the decision responds to reports of an alleged “international conspiracy” aimed at destabilizing peace in the border area and Venezuelan territory in general.
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“By instructions from President Nicolás Maduro, the border with Colombia will be closed from 5:00 a.m.,” stated Bernal, who also urged affected businesses, ranchers, and citizens to understand the implications of this measure.
Impact on Air Travel
The closure affects both land and air transit. Two flights scheduled from Bogotá to the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Caracas, were canceled on Friday, according to Blu Radio. Airlines Latam, Avior and Laser Airlines were forced to reschedule itineraries or manage refunds, significantly impacting travelers.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry issued a statement recommending citizens remain in contact with their airlines for updates on flight status, refunds, and rescheduling. It also urged travelers to take precautions in light of this unforeseen situation.
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