United States Issues Warning Over Military Air Activity in Mexico and Central America

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Friday that it is issuing a series of warnings to airlines and crews to exercise extreme caution when flying over Mexico, Central America, and surrounding regions due to potential "military activity" and GPS interference. This comes amid heightened regional tensions following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela.

The FAA's alerts, known as "Notices to Airmen" (NOTAMs), cover the airspace over Mexico and Central American countries, as well as Ecuador, Colombia, and parts of the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The advisory highlights "potential risks to aircraft at all altitudes." These warnings began on Friday and will remain in effect for 60 days, until mid-March.

This decision comes in the wake of increasing tensions between Washington and regional leaders after President Donald Trump deployed forces in the southern Caribbean, launched an attack on Venezuela, and captured Nicolás Maduro in a military operation.

In this context, Trump hinted at the possibility of further actions in the region, including Colombia, although he later softened his stance.

Last week, Trump claimed that cartels control Mexico and suggested the United States might target land objectives to combat them, in what is described as part of a series of threats to use military force against criminal structures.

Following the attack on Venezuela, the FAA had already imposed flight restrictions throughout the Caribbean, leading — according to the document — to the cancellation of hundreds of flights by major airlines.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford mentioned to EFE earlier this week that there was excellent coordination between the agency and the U.S. military prior to the operation in Venezuela. The new alert represents an expansion of the cautionary perimeter to include regular routes connecting the United States, Mexico, and Canada with South America.

Meanwhile, airlines have resumed operations to Venezuela after Maduro's capture.

Copa Airlines announced the resumption of its international flights to Caracas starting Tuesday, January 13, 2026, with a second flight added from Friday, January 16, and daily service beginning February 20, as stated in a cited release.

American Airlines restored flights "one day after" Maduro's capture and stated it had resumed its scheduled service following the reopening of the Eastern Caribbean airspace, adding extra capacity to accommodate customers affected by previous restrictions.