In a surprising reversal of prior policy, former President Donald Trump announced Thursday the United States will immediately reopen its airspace to commercial flights traveling to and from Venezuela.The decision, made following direct dialog with Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, marks a significant thaw in relations following years of sanctions and political tension, and comes after the recent arrest of nicolás Maduro on narcotics trafficking charges [[1]]. Trump administration officials indicate the move is also linked to ongoing negotiations regarding the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants currently in the U.S. [[2]].
The United States will reopen its airspace to commercial flights to and from Venezuela, former President Donald Trump announced Thursday, marking a significant shift in policy toward the South American nation. The move comes after a conversation with Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez.
“I just spoke with the president of Venezuela and I told her that we are going to open up the entire commercial airspace,” Trump told reporters at the start of a cabinet meeting at the White House.
He added, “American citizens will be able to go to Venezuela very soon and they will be safe there.”
Trump stated he had directed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and all relevant personnel, including military officials, to have the airspace over Venezuela open to flights by the end of the day.
“The relationships have been very strong, very good,” Trump said.
He also noted that major oil companies are heading to Venezuela, “inspecting and choosing their locations, and they’re going to bring back tremendous wealth to Venezuela and to the United States.”
“Venezuela, in fact, is going to make more money than it’s ever made, and that’s a good thing,” he assured.
The announcement follows the capture of Nicolás Maduro, currently incarcerated in New York awaiting trial on narcotics trafficking charges. Following Maduro’s arrest, the U.S. established a system to manage revenue from Venezuelan oil, which is deposited in Qatar and then transferred to Rodríguez’s government, reportedly with monthly spending oversight.
“I want to thank the entire people of Venezuela for what they’ve been through, you know, and I want to thank the leadership because, really, they are doing a good job,” Trump said.
