Osprey Flight Solutions, the global leader in aviation security intelligence, has issued a Critical Alert to aviation operators following US military strikes against targets inside Venezuela, including its capital, Caracas. In response to the rapidly evolving security environment, Osprey has updated Venezuela’s country and airspace risk rating from High to Extreme and the Southern Caribbean Sea airspace from Moderate to High.

Osprey analysts assess with near certainty that both the United States and Venezuela will increase military deployments to the Caribbean Sea, while Venezuela is expected to intensify military operations within its own territory, particularly in coastal areas, in the short term.

Key Osprey assessments include:

• Further US military airstrikes against suspected narcotics trafficking maritime targets in international waters of the southern Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean are likely in the short term.
• Further US military strikes against sites within Venezuelan territory are likely in the short term.
• Partial or full closure of Venezuelan airspace, as well as airspace in surrounding countries within the southern Caribbean Sea region, is likely in the short term.
• Osprey assesses it is possible that President Nicolás Maduro may relinquish power to the Venezuelan opposition in the short term.

These developments present significant and escalating risks to civil aviation operations, particularly for aircraft transiting the Caribbean Basin and northern South America.

Osprey Flight Solutions analysts are available to provide expert insight, including live or telephone interviews and written responses, to support media coverage of this developing situation.

To arrange interviews or request further analysis, please contact Kathryn Boast at kathryn.boast@ospreyfs.com.

Kind regards,

Osprey Flight Solutions
Aviation Security Intelligence