US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has ordered the reopening of commercial airspace over Venezuela, nearly four weeks after a US military operation resulted in the removal of President Nicolas Maduro.
During a cabinet meeting, Trump stated he had spoken with Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, and “informed her that we’re going to be opening up all commercial airspace over Venezuela.”
“American citizens will very shortly be able to go to Venezuela and they will be safe there. It’s under very strong control,” Trump said at the White House. He added that he had instructed US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and other relevant departments, including the military, to open the airspace by the end of the day.
Confirming the directive, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on the social media platform X that it had rescinded four notices that had previously warned airlines about the region’s airspace. The FAA described the alerts as “precautionary measures” that “are no longer necessary.”
Following the announcement, American Airlines stated its intention to reinstate service to the country. The airline confirmed it is in contact with US officials and will schedule flights “pending government approval and security assessments.”
The United States had closed Venezuelan airspace to commercial flights after its military operation on January 3, which led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro. Maduro is now awaiting trial in New York on charges related to drugs and terrorism.
President Trump also noted that major oil companies were now “going to Venezuela now, scouting it out and picking their locations.” After Maduro’s removal from power, interim President Rodriguez signed oil agreements with the Trump administration, which has asserted control over Venezuela’s oil sector.
