Trump Reopens Venezuela Airspace for Commercial Flights After Capture of Maduro

The move comes 3 weeks after the U.S. declared it now 'runs' Venezuela following the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 4:55pm

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President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S. will reopen the airspace over Venezuela to commercial aircraft, including American Airlines which was the last U.S. carrier to operate flights to the country before suspending service in 2019. The announcement comes more than three weeks after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, first lady Cilia Flores, in a joint U.S. military and law enforcement operation.

Why it matters

The reopening of Venezuelan airspace signals a shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations following the arrest of President Maduro. It could pave the way for increased travel and commerce between the two countries, although the State Department's 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Venezuela remains in place.

The details

After Maduro's capture on January 3, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order prohibiting all civil flight operations of U.S. aircraft in Venezuelan airspace. This left thousands of travelers stranded across the Caribbean. Trump has now informed acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez that the U.S. will reopen the airspace, allowing American Airlines to resume flights to the country in the coming months.

  • On January 3, the FAA closed Venezuelan airspace after the capture of President Maduro.
  • On January 29, President Trump announced the U.S. will reopen Venezuelan airspace for commercial flights.

The players

Donald Trump

The 79-year-old President of the United States who announced the reopening of Venezuelan airspace.

Nicolás Maduro

The former President of Venezuela who was captured in a joint U.S. military and law enforcement operation on January 3.

Delcy Rodríguez

The acting President of Venezuela who Trump informed of the airspace reopening.

American Airlines

The last U.S. carrier to operate flights to Venezuela before suspending service in 2019, and which plans to resume operations 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. It's under very strong control.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“We're going to get the oil flowing the way it should be… we're gonna run it properly. We're gonna make sure the people of Venezuela are taken care of.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“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

What’s next

American Airlines plans to share additional details about resuming flights to Venezuela in the coming months as they work with federal authorities on necessary permissions and security assessments.

The takeaway

The reopening of Venezuelan airspace represents a shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations following the capture of President Maduro, though the State Department's 'Do Not Travel' advisory remains in place. It could pave the way for increased travel and commerce between the two countries, though concerns about security and stability in Venezuela persist.