Venezuela clarifies that U.S. aviation sanctions remain in place

The Venezuelan government has refuted reports by international media that the United States has lifted unilateral sanctions on Venezuela’s aeronautical sector.

Venezuela’s Vice Minister of Anti-Blockade Policies, William Castillo, clarified that while the US canceled a specific restriction, it does not imply suspending any sanctions against Venezuela.

The cancellation of NOTAM C0013/19 only allows US aircraft to fly through Venezuelan airspace at altitudes below 26,000 feet, following international regulations instead of the previous US-imposed restrictions.

However, Venezuela emphasizes that lifting this restriction does not alter the sanctions established in the US Department of Transportation’s Order of May 14, 2019, which prohibits US and foreign operators from conducting activities to and from Venezuela.

Venezuela points out that its state-owned airline, Conviasa, remains sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), with its financial resources blocked or frozen in the international financial system.

The Venezuelan government clarifies that the US government’s sanctions against Venezuela’s aeronautical sector remain unchanged, making Venezuela the third most sanctioned country in terms of aircraft, with a total of 58 affected.

Caracas considers the US sanctions illegal and violating international laws and regulations governing aeronautical matters, which Venezuela strictly adheres to.