Khaberni - U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Venezuela's airspace will be reopened to commercial flights, following about four weeks after a U.S. military operation that resulted in the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump said at the beginning of a cabinet meeting at the White House that he had just spoken with Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez, "and informed her that we would fully reopen the commercial airspace over Venezuela."
He stated, "American citizens will be able to visit Venezuela soon and they will be safe there."
He added that he instructed the Secretary of Transportation Sean Davy "and all other concerned parties, including the military, if possible, by the end of today I would like the airspace over Venezuela to be opened."
About two hours after Trump's announcement, the Federal Aviation Administration announced on platform X that it had removed four alerts directed at airline companies warning of the airspace in the region, including over Venezuela.
It stated that the alerts "were issued as precautionary measures and are no longer necessary."
Transportation Secretary Davy confirmed that he had received the president's instructions, saying "we are removing obstacles to travel between the United States and Venezuela."
American Airlines announced plans to resume service, noting that it is in contact with U.S. officials and will schedule flights "pending government approval and security assessments."
The United States had kept Venezuelan airspace closed since the military operation it conducted on January 3, which led to the arrest of Maduro and his transfer to the United States to stand trial for drug trafficking and corruption charges.
Trump mentioned that major oil companies "are now going to Venezuela to explore it and select their sites."
After removing Maduro, Rodriguez signed oil agreements with Trump, who announced that his administration now controls the sector that is considered the backbone of the Venezuelan economy.
