President Donald Trump on Thursday highlighted that commercial flights between the United States and Venezuela will soon resume.
He ordered Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and U.S. military leaders to reopen the airspace by the end of the day.
“American citizens will very shortly be able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there,” Trump said during a White House cabinet meeting.
Venezuela is now led by acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who took office after U.S. forces captured former President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3.
Maduro Capture Triggers Shift in U.S. Policy
U.S. officials said Maduro and his wife are in New York facing drug trafficking charges.
The military operation that captured Maduro ended years of strained relations between Washington and Caracas.
The Venezuelan government is yet to react to Trump’s announcement.
Airlines Prepare to Resume Service
American Airlines plans to restart flights to Venezuela in the coming months.
The airline was the last U.S. carrier flying to Venezuela before suspending service in 2019.
Before flights stopped, American Airlines operated routes between:
- Miami and Caracas
- Miami and Maracaibo
The company mentioned working with federal agencies to complete:
- Security reviews
- Flight approvals
- Safety clearances
The airline noted renewed service could help:
- Reunite families
- Restore business travel
- Rebuild tourism links
Why Flights Were Suspended
The U.S. halted commercial flights to Venezuela in 2019 over safety concerns.
Officials warned that:
- Military activity posed risks
- Passenger safety could not be guaranteed
- Airspace conditions were unstable
In November, Trump announced that Venezuelan airspace should be treated as fully closed as pressure mounted on Maduro.
The Federal Aviation Administration later issued multiple safety alerts for flights near Venezuela.
FAA Lifts Regional Safety Warnings
On Thursday, the FAA lifted four aviation safety warnings tied to the region.
The agency stated that the warnings were no longer needed following recent changes in security conditions.
Safety Concerns Still in Place
Despite the airspace decision, the U.S. State Department still warns Americans not to travel to Venezuela.
The country remains under a Level 4 travel advisory, the highest level.
The advisory cites risks including:
- Wrongful detention
- Kidnapping
- Torture
- Violent crime
The State Department is yet to highlight whether it will update the warning.
Diplomatic Ties Begin to Reset
U.S.–Venezuela relations collapsed in 2019 but are now shifting.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers the U.S. plans to reopen its embassy in Venezuela.
Trump made it clear the U.S. will help manage Venezuela until a peaceful transition takes place.
Public opinion remains divided:
- 33% approve of the operation
- 34% disapprove
- 33% remain unsure
The decision to reopen Venezuelan airspace marks a major change in U.S. policy, but safety concerns and diplomatic challenges remain unresolved.
