Venezuela suspends flights, Chile "regrets"

The Chilean government expressed regret on September 25 over Venezuela's decision to suspend direct flights between the two countries.

Venezuela decides to suspend flights to several countries. (Source: Business Traveller)

The Chilean Foreign Ministry said this was a unilateral decision, leaving nearly 800,000 Venezuelans living in Chile in a "dilemma".

Chile also assessed this as “an unreasonable act” and “regretted” it.

Previously, the Venezuelan Ministry of Transport announced the suspension of commercial passenger transport activities between the country and Chile.

This move further escalates diplomatic tensions between the two countries over the results of the presidential election in Venezuela.

Caracas decided to suspend commercial flights to Chile shortly after Chilean President Gabriel Boric called the Venezuelan government a “dictatorship” in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr. Boric also called on the international community to recognize the election results in Venezuela belonging to opposition candidate Edmundo Urrutia instead of incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.

In addition, Caracas also decided to suspend many direct flights to Panama, the Dominican Republic and Peru, accusing these countries of interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs.

Panama and the Dominican Republic are among the countries demanding a full review of Venezuela's presidential election, on condition that independent observers be present.

According to Mr. Marisela de Loaiza, President of the Venezuelan Aviation Association (ALAV), the suspension of operations with the above countries is a "political" action, causing Caracas to lose 54% of its international connectivity.

ALAV said that before July 31, Venezuela had about 181 international flights per week, but now there are only 83 flights, equivalent to a reduction of about 15,000 seats per week.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/venezuela-tam-dung-cac-chuyen-bay-chile-lay-lam-tiec-287755.html