*

Venezuela revoked operating rights for Iberia, TAP,

Avianca,

Latam Colombia, Turkish Airlines, and Gol

*

Revocation follows US warning about a 'potentially

hazardous

situation' in Venezuelan airspace

*

Iberia and Avianca expressed intentions to resume flights

under

safe conditions

(Adds migration context in paragraph 3, Avianca and Portugal

reactions in paragraphs 14-15)

Nov 27 (Reuters) - Venezuela revoked operating rights

for six major international airlines that had suspended flights

to the country following a warning from the U.S. Federal

Aviation Administration.

The civil aviation authority late on Wednesday revoked

permits for Iberia, TAP, Avianca, Latam Colombia,

Turkish Airlines and Gol, which further

reduces connectivity with the South American nation and fulfills

revocation threats made earlier this week.

Colombia, Brazil and Spain, whose airlines are affected by

the decision, are among the countries with the largest

Venezuelan populations.

ESCALATING VENEZUELA-US TENSIONS

Caracas, in a statement, said the carriers had "joined

actions of state terrorism promoted by the United States" by

"unilaterally" halting commercial flights.

Last week, the U.S. aviation regulator warned major airlines

of a "potentially hazardous situation" when flying over

Venezuela due to a "worsening security situation and heightened

military activity in or around" the country.

Caracas said the FAA has no jurisdiction over its airspace.

The U.S. military has been deploying forces to the Caribbean

for months amid worsening relations with Venezuela, to combat

what it has portrayed as President Nicolas Maduro's role in

supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans.

Maduro has denied the accusations and says U.S. President

Donald Trump seeks to oust him.

In a statement on Monday, the International Air Transport

Association said Venezuelan authorities had given international

airlines a 48-hour deadline to resume flights, or risk losing

their rights to fly to the country.

THE AIRLINES RESPOND

Several international airlines had canceled flights to

Venezuela in recent days, ignoring Caracas's deadline.

Iberia said it wished to restart flights to Venezuela as

soon as full safety conditions were met.

Avianca announced its intention to reschedule canceled

flights to Caracas for December 5 in a Wednesday statement. The

company declined to comment on the restrictions imposed by

Venezuela.

Portuguese Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel called

Venezuela's decision to revoke the airlines' operating rights

"totally disproportionate." He said the European nation -

headquarters of carrier TAP - had tried through its embassy in

Caracas to persuade Venezuelan authorities to reinstate

operating rights.

Air Europa and Plus Ultra had suspended flights but did not

have their permits revoked.

International airline Copa and its Wingo unit

continue to operate in Venezuela, as do domestic airlines flying

to Colombia, Panama and Curacao.