WASHINGTON – The airline company American Airlines today announced the “temporary suspension” of its flights to Venezuela on the grounds of “security reasons,” a decision that came a day after Washington reported that all its diplomats had left the Caribbean country. .
“American has temporarily suspended its operations in Caracas and Maracaibo (…). The safety of our employees and customers is always our main priority and American will not operate in countries that it does not consider safe,” the company said in a statement.
A few hours before the pilot union of the airline had recommended its members not travel to Venezuela due to the decision of the Government.
American Airlines was the only major airline in the country that kept its flights to Venezuela from Miami, after United and Delta suspended service in 2017.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Wednesday that “all” of his diplomats had left Venezuela and that Washington will reestablish its diplomatic presence “once the transition to democracy has begun.”
Pompeo said those diplomats will continue to work for Venezuela from “other locations”, which he did not specify, where they will help “manage the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan population and support the democratic actors who, courageously, resist tyranny.”
The head of diplomacy said that the government of Washington, “at all levels,” maintains “firm determination and support” to the people of Venezuela and opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who was declared interim president on January 23 and who has achieved recognition from 54 countries, including the USA
Washington has applied numerous rounds of economic sanctions against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (EFEUSA)
