Guyana’s airspace open despite neighbouring Venezuela’s closure

Last Updated on Saturday, 29 November 2025, 13:48 by Writer

Guyana’s airspace is open, despite United States President Donald Trump’s position that the airspace “above and surrounding Venezuela” is closed to airlines and flights engaged in illegal activities.

Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Retired Lt. Col. Egbert Field said neither domestic nor international flights in and out of Guyana would be affected.

In terms of international flights to Trinidad, and Colombia, he said those were now using a different flight path. “The traffic is being rerouted for the last couple of days. It wouldn’t impact Guyana and Colombia,” he said.

In terms of domestic flights to and from interior destinations close to the Guyana-Venezuela border, he said there were also no disruptions “even closer to the border.” “They have a different FIR (flight information region) so there will be no disruption. All our airstrips are within our airspace and not that close so there is no disruption,” the GCAA Director-General said. This position was also supported by local aviators who said on Saturday that domestic flights were operating in those interior areas normally.

The assurance by the GCAA came against the backdrop of a post by the US President on his Truth Social platform stating” “To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY”.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Defence on Saturday said local, regional, and international airlines continue to operate flights into and out of that twin-island without interruption. Commercial airlines operating in Trinidad and Tobago have not reported any disruptions, according to the Ministry. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge emphasised that the travelling public can continue to plan flights normally.

On Thursday, Mr Trump said that military action could begin on Venezuela’s land in his quest to go after narco-terrorists and narco-traffickers. “You probably noticed that people aren’t wanting to be delivering by sea, and we’ll be starting to stop them by land also,” the president continued. “The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon.”

So far, 83 persons have been killed on 21 strikes to date for their alleged involvement in the movement of drugs from South America to the US. No solid proof has been provided that the boats were ferrying narcotics, raising concerns among legal experts about the justification for the use of deadly force.

Several US and other experts believe that the large military build-up is aimed at forcing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to step down or be removed by force. The US has labelled him and cartel del los soles narco-terrorists.