Trump Announces Resumption of Commercial Flights to Venezuela

State Department's 'Do Not Travel' Warning Still in Effect

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:31pm

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President Trump announced that he has informed Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, that he will reopen the country's commercial airspace and that Americans will soon be able to visit. The State Department's 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Venezuela remains in effect, but at least one airline, American Airlines, has announced plans to resume direct flights between the U.S. and Venezuela in the coming months.

Why it matters

The resumption of commercial flights between the U.S. and Venezuela marks a potential thawing of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have been strained since 2019. However, the State Department's travel warning suggests ongoing security concerns that could impact American travelers.

The details

President Trump said he has instructed his Transportation Secretary and the U.S. military to take steps to open Venezuela's airspace for travel by the end of the day. American Airlines, the last U.S. airline flying to Venezuela before suspending service in 2019, announced it will work with federal authorities on security assessments and necessary permissions to resume direct flights between the U.S. and Venezuela in the coming months.

  • On January 30, 2026, President Trump announced the reopening of commercial airspace between the U.S. and Venezuela.
  • In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security ordered an indefinite suspension of U.S. airline flights to Venezuela, citing threats to 'safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew'.

The players

President Trump

The President of the United States who announced the reopening of commercial airspace between the U.S. and Venezuela.

Delcy Rodríguez

The acting president of Venezuela with whom President Trump communicated about the reopening of commercial airspace.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who was instructed by President Trump to take steps to open Venezuela's airspace for travel.

American Airlines

The last U.S. airline flying to Venezuela before suspending service in 2019, which has announced plans to resume direct flights between the U.S. and Venezuela in the coming months.

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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.”

— President Trump (AP)

“We have a more than 30-year history connecting Venezolanos to the US, and we are ready to renew that incredible relationship.”

— American Airlines (American Airlines statement)

What’s next

The State Department will need to lift its 'Do Not Travel' warning for Venezuela before the resumption of commercial flights can be considered fully safe for American travelers.

The takeaway

The potential reopening of commercial air travel between the U.S. and Venezuela represents a diplomatic shift, but ongoing security concerns highlighted by the State Department's travel warning suggest caution is still warranted for American citizens considering visiting the country.