Juan Guaidó spent three weeks travelling through North America and Europe before he returned to Caracas on February, 12. The president of the National Assembly of Venezuela and interim president recognized by 54 countries worldwide, flew back to his home country on board a plane of TAP. Now the Portuguese national airline is coping with the consequences.
The regime of Nicolás Maduro, which considers Guaidó an enemy of the state and a traitor, has barred TAP from flying into the country for 90 days. Transport Minister Hipólito Abreu announced the decision on Monday (February, 17). «Due to the serious irregularities on flight TP173, and in accordance with national civil aviation regulations, Tap's operations on our territory will be suspended for 90 days,» he wrote on Twitter. He calls that a «precautionary measure to protect the operational safety of Venezuela.»
Tap says it complied with all regulations
The Venezuelan government accuses TAP of concealing the identity of Guaidó on the flight. In addition, his accompanying uncle Juan Márquez allegedly carried «prohibited materials and substances of an explosive nature». The Portuguese airline states that all legal and safety requirements had been met.
TAP is one of the few airlines that still fly to Venezuela. In addition, Air Europa, Air France, Iberia, Plus Ultra and Turkish Airlines as well as the Venezuelan Estelar Caracas fly to Venezuela from Europe.
