The Government of Puerto Rico reported that this Saturday more than 300 flights have been canceled from various airports across the island for security reasons, due to a military operation carried out by the United States in Venezuela, which included the detention of Nicolás Maduro. According to official sources in a press release, for today, the preliminary picture reflects over 290 canceled flights in San Juan, five canceled flights in Ponce (south), and 12 canceled flights in Aguadilla (northwest). According to several local media outlets, Maduro arrived at Aguadilla's airport, Rafael Hernández, allegedly to receive medical treatment before traveling to New York, where he will be prosecuted for several criminal charges, including narco-terrorism. In addition to the cancellations at the airports in San Juan, Ponce, and Aguadilla, local authorities reported that air operations in Ceiba and the municipalities of Vieques and Culebra have also been canceled. 'The total number of cancellations could continue to rise as airlines confirm new updates,' said the executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), Willianette Robles Cancel, in the statement. Meanwhile, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Norberto Negrón, confirmed that commercial airspace in at least seven airports on the island has been closed by order of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) until 01:00 (05:00 GMT) tomorrow, Sunday. 'We await an official update on the operational conditions determined by federal and airport authorities,' indicated Robles Cancel. 'Once operations resume, airlines will be communicating directly with passengers to notify any adjustments to their itineraries,' she added. The CTPR, in turn, is coordinating with the hotel sector to assess the feasibility of accommodating, subject to availability and the policies of each establishment, the needs of travelers affected by cancellations and delays, as well as to identify other accommodation alternatives while air operations return to normal.
