Trump Orders Reopening of Airspace Over Venezuela

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he had ordered the reopening of commercial airspace over Venezuela, nearly a month after a U.S. military operation that removed former President Nicolás Maduro from power. Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said he had informed Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, of the decision and assured that American citizens would soon be able to travel there safely.

Trump directed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, along with military officials and other relevant parties, to complete the reopening by the end of the day. "American citizens will very shortly be able to go to Venezuela, and they'll be safe there," Trump stated. "It's under very strong control." About two hours later, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the action by removing four prior notices to airlines regarding airspace risks over the region, including Venezuela. The agency described the alerts, issued as precautionary measures following the military operation, as no longer necessary.

The move signals a potential thaw in U.S.-Venezuela relations, which had deteriorated sharply in the mid-2010s and fully collapsed in 2019 amid...