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The Maduro government revoked the operating permits of Iberia, TAP, Avianca, Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines and Gol after the expiry of a 48-hour ultimatum. The airlines had suspended their routes after a U.S. warning about risks in the airspace.

On Wednesday, the Venezuelan government imposed sanctions on six international airlines that had suspended their flights to Caracas. The measure came into effect after the deadline set by President Nicolás Maduro’s government for the companies to resume flights had expired.

The affected carriers are Iberia, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, Latam Colombia and Gol. All of them cancelled their routes after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last Friday urged commercial airlines to exercise extreme caution when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello made a very brief and clear statement about the situation.

“The national government, with a sovereign decision, told the companies the following: if you do not restart flights within 48 hours, then do not restart them at all. You protect your planes; we will protect our dignity,” Cabello said.

Cabello stressed that Venezuela decides who may fly in its territory and that it reserves the right to control entry.