Trump Announces Reopening of Venezuelan Airspace for Commercial Travel

President says U.S. citizens will be able to travel to Venezuela safely under strict control.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will reopen Venezuela's airspace to commercial flights, allowing airlines to resume service to the South American country following the apprehension of former strongman Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces earlier this month. Trump said he spoke with Maduro's successor, interim president Delcy Rodríguez, to inform her of the decision, which he said would allow Venezuelans living abroad to return home either permanently or for visits.

Why it matters

The reopening of Venezuelan airspace marks a significant shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, which have been strained since 2019 when diplomatic ties were severed. The move could facilitate increased travel and commerce between the two countries, impacting the Venezuelan diaspora in the U.S., particularly in Doral, Florida, which has the largest concentration of Venezuelan expatriates.

The details

Trump said he had instructed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and other agencies, including the military, to complete the reopening of Venezuelan airspace by the end of the day. The last U.S. carrier to operate routes between the United States and Venezuela was American Airlines, which suspended all commercial air links in 2019 when the two countries severed diplomatic relations. Venezuelan carrier Laser Airlines has renewed its request to the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate flights between Miami and Venezuela, which could begin within 90 to 180 days if approved.

  • On January 4, 2026, former Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro was apprehended by U.S. forces in a predawn raid in Caracas.
  • On January 29, 2026, President Trump announced the reopening of Venezuelan airspace for commercial travel.

The players

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who announced the reopening of Venezuelan airspace for commercial travel.

Delcy Rodríguez

The interim president of Venezuela who Trump spoke with to inform her of the decision to reopen Venezuelan airspace.

Nicolás Maduro

The former Venezuelan strongman who was apprehended by U.S. forces earlier this month.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who Trump instructed to complete the reopening of Venezuelan airspace.

Laser Airlines

A Venezuelan carrier that has renewed its request to the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate flights between Miami and Venezuela.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I just spoke to the President of Venezuela and informed her that there will be opening up all commercial airspace over Venezuela. American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela and they'll be safe there. It's under very strong control.”

— President Donald Trump

“U.S. citizens will be able to travel to Venezuela very soon, and they will be safe there, because it will be under very strict control. And people who used to live in Venezuela—some want to return, and others want to visit—and they will be able to do so.”

— President Donald Trump

What’s next

The White House has not provided details on how the reopening of Venezuelan airspace will be implemented or whether additional security or regulatory reviews will be required before flights resume. Laser Airlines' request to operate flights between Miami and Venezuela is still pending approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The takeaway

The reopening of Venezuelan airspace marks a significant shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, potentially facilitating increased travel and commerce between the two countries and impacting the Venezuelan diaspora in the U.S., particularly in Doral, Florida. However, concerns about safety and security in Venezuela remain, and the implementation of the reopening is still unclear.