Thousands of tourists stuck at Caribbean airports amid Venezuela crisis

Thousands of tourists are trapped in the Caribbean after flights were halted in the wake of the United States' capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Travellers expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding their stays, as many flights have been cancelled or delayed. At Cyril E. King Airport on Saint Thomas, 43 flights were cancelled within the past 24 hours alone, per the UK media.

American Airlines confirmed that the situation in Venezuela has impacted operations at 19 airports in the region, including hubs in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Saint Lucia, Barbados, and other destinations.

Cyril E. King Airport, located on St. Thomas, has cancelled 43 flights today. Queen Beatrix International Airport, located on Aruba canceled 44 flights, according to Flight Aware. 

Luis Munoz Marin International in Puerto Rico had the most cancellations with 169. 

On January 3, 2026, in a predawn operation involving large-scale U.S. airstrikes on military targets in Caracas and surrounding areas—including Fuerte Tiuna base, La Carlota airport, La Guaira port, and other facilities—the United States conducted a precision raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at their residence.

Elite Delta Force units then extracted them and transported the couple aboard the USS Iwo Jima en route to face trial in New York's Southern District.

By Khagan Isayev