Air Canada suspends flights to Venezuela as death toll rises
Canadian airline can no longer guarantee the safety of crew as violent clashes continue
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Air Canada has suspended flights to Venezuela citing "security concerns" as violent clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces continue.
The airline, which operates three weekly flights between Toronto and the capital of Caracas, said it could no longer guarantee the safety of its operation and crew.
The Canadian airline said in a statement: "Due to ongoing civil unrest in Venezuela, Air Canada can no longer ensure the safety of its operation and has suspended flights to Caracas until further notice."
On Monday, a Venezuelan national guard was shot in the head taking the death toll to 29 casualties- including protesters and government supporters- following six weeks of social unrest on both sides of the political spectrum across the country.
Critics of President Nicolas Maduro, a former bus driver and political heir to Hugo Chavez, insist they are protesting against rising inflation, soaring crime, power blackouts and shortages of basic goods such as flour, toilet paper and cooking oil.
The Maduro administration claims the protests are part of a fascist-led coup d'etat funded by the Venezuelan elites in a bid to topple the government following a razor-thin presidential victory for Bolivarian Revolution movement in April in last year.
Meanwhile, opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, remains in jail following his arrest on 20 February on charges of inciting violence in a military prison.
Read more: Venezuelan army occupies plaza in Caracas
Venezuelans rally outside White House urging Obama to step in
Venezuelan beauty queen shot to death amid protest
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments