Trump Announces Reopening of Venezuelan Airspace for Commercial Travel

Americans will soon be able to visit Venezuela, according to the president.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:23pm

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President Donald Trump announced that he has informed Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, that he will open up all commercial airspace over Venezuela and that Americans will soon be able to visit the country. Trump said he has instructed his transportation secretary and U.S. military leaders to take steps to open the airspace for travel by the end of the day.

Why it matters

The reopening of Venezuelan airspace for commercial travel marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards the country, which has been strained since the mid-2010s. This move could facilitate increased tourism and business opportunities between the two nations, though the State Department's highest-level travel warning for Venezuela remains in place.

The details

Trump said American citizens will be 'very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they'll be safe there.' While the State Department continues to warn against travel to Venezuela, at least one U.S. airline, American Airlines, announced its intention to resume direct flights between the U.S. and Venezuela in the coming months. American Airlines was the last U.S. airline flying to Venezuela when it suspended flights in 2019 due to security concerns.

  • On Thursday, January 29, 2026, President Trump made the announcement about reopening Venezuelan airspace.
  • Trump said he instructed his transportation secretary and U.S. military leaders to take steps to open the airspace for travel by the end of the day.

The players

Donald Trump

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

Delcy Rodríguez

The acting president of Venezuela, to whom Trump said he informed about the reopening of Venezuelan airspace.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who Trump said he instructed to take steps to open the Venezuelan airspace for travel.

American Airlines

The U.S. airline that was the last to fly to Venezuela before suspending flights in 2019, and has now announced its intention to resume direct flights between the U.S. and Venezuela.

Nat Pieper

The chief commercial officer of American Airlines who said the airline is ready to renew its 'incredible relationship' with Venezuela.

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What they’re saying

“American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they'll be safe there.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (wkrn.com)

“We have a more than 30-year history connecting Venezolanos to the U.S., and we are ready to renew that incredible relationship. By restarting service to Venezuela, American will offer customers the opportunity to reunite with families and create new business and commerce with the United States.”

— Nat Pieper, Chief Commercial Officer, American Airlines (wkrn.com)

What’s next

The State Department will need to review and potentially update its current 'Do not travel' advisory for Venezuela in light of the reopening of airspace. American Airlines also said it will share additional details about the resumption of flights between the U.S. and Venezuela in the coming months as it works with federal authorities on security assessments and necessary permissions.

The takeaway

The reopening of Venezuelan airspace for commercial travel represents a significant shift in U.S. policy towards the country, which could facilitate increased tourism and business opportunities between the two nations. However, concerns about the safety and security of travelers to Venezuela remain, as evidenced by the State Department's ongoing travel warning.