The Latin American Report # 656
The caution alert issued by the U.S. air authority to airlines regularly flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean Sea—alleging "THE WORSENING SECURITY SITUATION AND HEIGHTENED MILITARY ACTIVITY IN OR AROUND VENEZUELA"—has turned Venezuelan airport operations chaotic, leaving many passengers stranded in Maiquetía; they have had to seek alternatives in neighboring Colombia. The interesting thing is that the background information notice speaks, without providing any context, stating that "there has been an increase in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference in the Maiquetia Flight Information Region (SVZM FIR), as well as activity associated with increasing Venezuela military readiness."
Thus, the American FAA also alludes that "since early September, Venezuela has conducted multiple military exercises and directed the mass mobilization of thousands of military and reserve forces." For sure, I think. But, why? The FAA remains silent. However, the notice, I don't know why, has been (mis)interpreted abroad as a signal of imminent attacks from U.S. forces deployed in the region. This has first resulted in the rescheduling and suspension of flights by several European and Latin American airlines, and then in the official revocation of their concessions by the aeronautical authorities of the oil-rich nation.
"If the company reimburses me the money I have spent [...] I won't file a lawsuit, but if they shirk their responsibility I will go all in and with more people," says to EFE a Spanish citizen affected by the flight cancellations in Venezuela, in this case by Air Europa. Only those who have the real power to influence the decision of the owner of the Resolute desk, and he himself of course, know whether the United States will frontally attack Venezuela or not as the culmination of the so-called Operation Southern Spear, launched in the middle of the month by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Bolívares for sale
Meanwhile, in the midst of all this drama typical of a textbook psychological war, the bolívar—the local currency—has devalued considerably this year against the dollar. Right now, the minimum wage and pension are both equivalent to half a dollar, although in practice the government allocates other financial resources that to a certain extent help a bit to alleviate the difficult situation, especially for the thousands who receive their income in bolívares.
Regional news brief
Dominican authorities reported the seizure of more than a ton and a half of cocaine on the country's southern coast, as part of operations in support of the aforementioned Operation "Southern Spear". Santo Domingo is in good sync with Washington right now after an agreement directly backed by President Abinader this week to logistically support the U.S. military deployment in the region.
The attack on two National Guard members, one of them already died, in broad daylight by an individual native to Afghanistan, has allowed Trump to refuel his anti-immigrant stance, aimed at filtering the inbound migration to the detriment of poor—more than violent—countries.
Honduras
Plain and simple 👇
SourceThis is all for today’s report.
