The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday issued a series of advisories urging pilots to exercise caution when flying over areas of the Pacific Ocean adjacent to several Latin American countries, citing increased military activity in the region. The seven notices to airmen, known as NOTAMs, covered areas of the Pacific Ocean bordering Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama.
These advisories, which were set to remain in effect through March 17, suggested a sustained period of potential military operations in the area. The FAA did not immediately clarify the reason for issuing the warnings.
The notices resembled similar advisories issued last year concerning areas around Venezuela and the Caribbean Sea. Those earlier warnings coincided with a reported increase in U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug smugglers via boat strikes. More urgent warnings were issued earlier this year during a reported U.S. operation aimed at capturing Nicolás Maduro, the leader of Venezuela.
The Eastern Pacific has seen several boat strikes in recent weeks. Representatives from the U.S. Special Operations Command, reportedly involved in carrying out the strikes, and the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the region, have not yet commented on the nature of the increased military activity prompting the FAA's advisories.
The FAA's warnings highlight the complex geopolitical landscape of Latin America, a region historically influenced by both internal conflicts and external powers. The presence of U.S. military activity in the region, often framed as counter-narcotics operations, has been a source of contention for some Latin American governments, who view it as an infringement on their sovereignty. The potential for heightened military activity in the region raises concerns about the safety of civilian air traffic and the potential for unintended consequences. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing political and economic instability in several Latin American nations, which can contribute to increased security risks.
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