An opposition demonstrator walks near a bus in flames during clashes with soldiers loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after troops joined opposition leader Juan Guaido in his campaign to oust Maduro's government, in the surroundings of La Carlota military base in Caracas on April 30, 2019. Federico Parra | AFP | Getty Images The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday evening issued an order prohibiting U.S. air operators from flying below 26,000 feet in Venezuela's airspace until further notice, citing "increasing political instability and tensions." The FAA notice said any air operators currently in Venezuela, which would include private jets, should depart within 48 hours. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Tuesday made his strongest call yet to the military to help him oust President Nicolas Maduro but there were no concrete signs of defection from the armed forces leadership. American Airlines Group in March said it was indefinitely suspending its flights to Venezuela, as the country continued to struggle with political turmoil and unrest. OPSGROUP, which provides safety guidance to air operators, said options for those choosing to avoid Venezuelan airspace would include routes west via Colombia, or east via Guyana. "The (FAA) order comes on a day of an information battle waged between Maduro and Guaido, and although the coup status is uncertain, one thing is clear: taking your aircraft to Venezuela is not a good idea," OPSGROUP said on its website. Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 on Tuesday evening showed some flights between South America and Europe were crossing Venezuelan airspace, but at altitudes above 26,000 feet. Early on Tuesday, several dozen armed troops accompanying Guaido clashed with soldiers supporting Maduro at a rally in Caracas, and large anti-government protests in the streets turned violent. Venezuelans were expected to again take to the streets on Wednesday for what Guaido pledged would be the "largest march" in the country's history.
The US Federal Aviation Administration ( The US Federal Aviation Administration ) has instructed Venezuela aircraft to fly above 26,000 feet when in Venezuelans airspace as a precautionary measure due to “increasing political instability and tensions” in the country. The order on March included a notice that any aircraft in US should depart within 48 hours . The country is in a state of unrest, with anti-government protesters who support opposition leader Juan Guaido clashing with forces loyal to President Nicholas Maduro .