US to reopen airspace over Venezuela

US President Donald Trump announced that he spoke with Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez and informed her of Washington’s decision to resume air travel between the two countries.

The American leader noted that the United States will open Venezuelan airspace to commercial aviation, enabling the restoration of regular flights between US and Venezuelan airports, Caliber.Az reports.

"I just spoke to the president of Venezuela and informed her that we're going to be opening up all commercial airspace over Venezuela. American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela and they will be safe there. It's under very strong control," Trump stated.

The move aims to normalise air travel and facilitate passenger movement.

In early January 2026, the United States carried out a major military operation in Venezuela that included airstrikes and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on charges related to drug trafficking. This marked a significant escalation, drawing global criticism and sparking debate about sovereignty and the use of force.

Prior to that operation, President Donald Trump had declared the Venezuelan airspace should be considered closed, a move tied to rising military activity, safety concerns and warnings from US aviation authorities about heightened risk in the region. That announcement disrupted commercial flights and contributed to airlines suspending service.

The broader tension has been fueled by a US military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of naval and air assets, which the US government positioned as counter‑drug trafficking efforts. Venezuela perceived this as a threat to its security and sovereignty.

By Jeyhun Aghazada