Washington, January 17 – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued urgent advisories for aircraft flying over key Latin American regions, citing heightened military activities and potential GPS disruptions. These notices target airspace above Mexico, Central America, Panama, Bogota, Guayaquil, Mazatlan, and vast swaths of the eastern Pacific Ocean.
An FAA spokesperson confirmed the advisories, known as Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs), will remain active for 60 days starting Friday. Pilots are urged to exercise extreme caution due to risks from military operations that could interfere with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), creating hazardous flying conditions at all altitudes, including overflights, landings, and takeoffs.
This escalation follows a surge in U.S. military presence in the Western Hemisphere, particularly after recent strikes against Venezuela’s government. Early January saw U.S. forces target President Nicolas Maduro’s regime, declaring him a ‘war captive’ in a dramatic move. President Donald Trump has since ramped up rhetoric, threatening drug cartel operations in Mexico and Colombia while issuing stern warnings to Cuba.
The advisories come alongside prior restrictions on flights over Venezuela, Curacao, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago, set to expire February 2. Seven separate NOTAMs cover extensive Pacific areas, emphasizing navigation system vulnerabilities from ongoing military exercises.
Mexico’s government dismissed the warnings, stating they have ‘no impact’ on its aviation operations and apply solely to U.S. carriers. Regional nations express growing unease, viewing the alerts as harbingers of potential U.S. interventions amid Trump’s aggressive stance.
Social media buzz portrays these as either routine safety measures or veiled threats tied to Trump’s policies. As tensions simmer, the FAA stresses vigilance to avert aviation incidents in this volatile corridor, underscoring the delicate balance between security and international air travel.