During his TV program "Con Maduro+", the president warned that "those who violate the rules will face the law", in a message directed at both internal sectors and operators who have halted air operations.
The suspension measure comes after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an alert about potential risks of flying in Venezuelan airspace, citing a deterioration of security and an increase in military activity in the region. In total, two Venezuelan airlines and seven international ones have temporarily halted their routes.
The Venezuelan government attributes these actions to a U.S. pressure campaign, which recently designated the so-called Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization, an accusation that Caracas considers a "ridiculous fabrication" aimed at justifying an intervention.
Maduro insisted that Venezuela will "move forward" despite what he calls external aggressions, while his administration seeks to minimize the impact of the air restrictions on the population and commerce.