Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has cautioned that Barbados is now confronting the direct fallout from yesterday’s United States (US) military action in Venezuela, as escalating developments in Caracas triggered widespread airspace disruptions, grounded flights, stranded passengers and placed fresh strain on the island’s tourism and transport systems.

Speaking at a press conference at Ilaro Court, Mottley said the past 24 hours were “exceedingly challenging”, forcing Government to manage overlapping national security, aviation and humanitarian concerns while the situation in Venezuela continued to evolve rapidly.

“The last 24 hours have proven to be exceedingly challenging and it is important that we speak to the country to ensure that on the multiple fronts that we have been affected . . . people know that things are under control with respect to the consequences that we are now currently facing.”