Diosdado Cabello says that Venezuela decides who flies and who doesn't and reserves the right of admission

Caracas.- Venezuelan Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, stated this Wednesday that his country's government "decides who flies and who doesn't" and "reserves the right of admission," in a context where several airlines have canceled their flights following the international warning from the US aviation authority that calls for "extreme caution" when flying over Venezuelan territory and the southern Caribbean.

"The national government, in a sovereign decision, told the companies (airlines): if in 48 hours you do not resume flights, do not resume them anymore. Keep your planes and we keep our dignity and that's it, no problem", Cabello stated in his weekly program 'Con el mazo dando', broadcast by the state channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).

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In this way, the official confirmed the deadline granted by the Government of Venezuela to the airlines to resume their operations in the South American country, which ended this Wednesday without the authorities having confirmed their decision to revoke the "permanent flight" permits or having announced any other type of sanction.

Cabello reproached that "why don't they complain" to the US, when mentioning the warning issued last Friday by the US Federal Aviation Administration, at a time when Washington maintains a military deployment in Caribbean waters under the argument of combating drug trafficking, but which the government of Nicolás Maduro considers as an attempt to remove him from power. "Why are they including Venezuela? That's not Venezuela's decision. It's an announcement from the United States. Now, Venezuela reserves the right of admission," indicated the person considered number two in Chavismo. Since Saturday, several airlines have canceled their flights to Venezuela, such as the Spanish Air Europa, Plus Ultra and Iberia, as well as the Portuguese TAP, the Colombian Avianca, the Brazilian Gol, the South American Latam and the Turkish Turkish Airlines. For the moment, Copa, Wingo, Boliviana de Aviación and Satena maintain their operations in Venezuela, as well as the local companies Avior and Conviasa (state-owned). Venezuelan airlines Laser and Estelar announced on Tuesday the suspension of their flights to Madrid until December 1, following notices issued by the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA). At least 6,000 passengers who were planning to travel between Madrid and Caracas during these days have been affected.