Trump Orders Reopening of Venezuelan Airspace to Travelers/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump announced he has directed U.S. officials to reopen commercial airspace over Venezuela, allowing American travelers to return. He said Americans will soon be able to safely visit, though Venezuela’s government has not responded. The move follows initial steps to restore diplomatic relations between the United States and Venezuela after years of tension and the embassy closure.
U.S.–Venezuela Airspace Reopening Quick Looks
- Policy Shift: Trump says he instructed U.S. officials to reopen Venezuelan commercial airspace.
- Directive Recipients: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and U.S. military leaders.
- Expected Impact: Americans “very shortly” able to visit Venezuela.
- Venezuelan Response: No official comment from Venezuela’s government yet.
- Diplomatic Context: U.S. exploring reopening its embassy in Caracas.
- Travel Warning: U.S. State Department still maintains a highest-level “Do Not Travel” advisory for Venezuela.
- Historical Ties: Diplomatic relations have been severed since 2019.
- Airline Plans: American Airlines intends to resume service pending approvals.
- FAA Past Actions: Airspace was previously considered closed due to safety concerns.
- Broader Shift: Seen as part of normalization efforts after diplomatic rupture.
Deep Look
Trump Says He Has Directed Officials to Reopen Venezuelan Airspace for Commercial Travel
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has instructed U.S. officials to reopen commercial airspace over Venezuela, a policy shift that could allow Americans to travel there again after years of restrictions.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said he has told Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and U.S. military leaders to put the reopening into effect by the end of the day.
“American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there,” the president said, describing it as a step toward renewed engagement.
Venezuela’s government had not immediately responded to the announcement.
The move follows signals this week from the U.S. administration that it is preparing to restore some diplomatic functions in Venezuela. In letters to congressional committees, the State Department said it is taking preliminary steps to reopen the U.S. embassy in Caracas, which has been closed since diplomatic relations collapsed in 2019. A growing team of temporary staff is being sent to conduct “select” functions as part of a phased plan.
Despite Thursday’s announcement, the U.S. State Department continues to carry its highest-level travel advisory for Venezuela, urging Americans not to travel there because of risks that include wrongful detention, kidnapping, torture and other dangers. It was not immediately clear whether that advisory will change in light of Trump’s statement.
In past months, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned pilots to exercise caution near Venezuelan airspace amid heightened military activity. In late 2025, Trump declared that the airspace above and around Venezuela should be treated as “closed in its entirety,” a move that led international airlines to cancel routes.
Following Thursday’s policy shift, American Airlines — the last U.S. carrier to fly to Venezuela before service was suspended in March 2019 — said it plans to reinstate nonstop flights to the country in the coming months, pending government approvals and security assessments. The airline cited more than 30 years of historical service linking Venezuelan and U.S. travelers, and said its return could help families reunite and support new business connections.
The reopening of Venezuelan airspace comes amid broader efforts to reset aspects of U.S.–Venezuela relations following intense geopolitical tensions, sanctions and conflicts over recent years. Actions earlier in 2026 included a U.S. military operation that resulted in the ouster of then-President Nicolás Maduro, and discussions over oil revenue and diplomatic negotiations with acting president Delcy Rodríguez.
‘As Washington moves to normalize travel policies, safety assessments and diplomatic coordination remain key. Federal authorities, airlines, and State Department officials are expected to work closely to ensure any return of flights protects U.S. citizens and complies with international aviation and security standards.
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