The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has downgraded Venezuela from a Category 1 International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program rating, to Category 2 effective immediately.

According to an official statement issued on Friday, December 13, the FAA said that based on an extensive review it had carried using all safety-related information currently available, it had determined that the "Venezuelan regime" no longer complies with international aviation safety standards.

A Category 2 IASA rating indicates the country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or its civil aviation authority – in this case, Instituto Nacional de Aeronáutica Civil Venezuela (INAC) – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping, inspection procedures, or resolution of safety concerns.

The US has already banned direct commercial flights between itself and Venezuela based on security and safety concerns from the US Departments of Transportation (DOT) and Homeland Security (DHS). As such, there are currently no direct flights between the two states where diplomatic relations are at an all-time low.