CARACAS — The Venezuelan government on Wednesday implemented sanctions against six international airlines that had suspended their operations to Caracas. The measure came into effect after a 48-hour deadline that President Nicolás Maduro's government gave the companies to resume their flights expired.

The companies affected are Iberia, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, Latam Colombia, and Gol. All had cancelled their routes after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning last Friday asking commercial airlines to exercise extreme caution when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello commented very concisely and clearly on the situation.

"The national government, in a sovereign decision, told the companies: if you do not resume flights in 48 hours, do not resume them any more. You keep your planes and we will keep our dignity," he said.

Cabello insisted that Venezuela decides who flies in its territory and reserves the right of admission.

For the time being, Copa, Wingo, Boliviana de Aviación, Satena and local airlines Avior and Conviasa are maintaining their regular operations in the country.

The crisis comes as the United States maintains an unprecedented military deployment in the Caribbean as part of Operation Southern Spear, announced in November to combat drug trafficking.

On Wednesday, the US Air Force revealed that B-52H bombers conducted strike demonstrations in Caribbean waters this week.

Two Dominican airports will be used temporarily to support anti-drug trafficking operations, San Isidro Air Base and Las Americas International Airport, both in Santo Domingo.

Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez called for calm: "The way forward is not to send ships or make military threats".

The Venezuelan attorney general, Tarek William Saab, said that direct talks between Nicolás Maduro and Donald Trump, who has stated that his contacts with the Venezuelan leader seek to "save many lives", are welcome. — Euronews