Relations between Venezuela and the United States took a dramatic turn following the arrest of Nicolas Maduro on January 3. As of last Thursday, these changes include the resumption of flights between Miami and Caracas, ending a seven-year period without commercial flights between the two countries.
The American Airlines jet departed Miami International Airport at 10:16 a.m. ET and landed at Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas at 1:36 p.m. local time.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several officials from Delcy Rodríguez’s government, including Transport Minister Jacqueline Faría and Venezuela’s Undersecretary for European and North American Affairs, Oliver Blanco.
Representing the US administration were US Chargé d’Affaires John Barrett and US National Energy Council Director Jarrod Agen.
There was also great fanfare announcing the resumption of flights in the United States. The White House shared an image created by artificial intelligence on its Instagram account showing the plane against the backdrop of Venezuela’s iconic landmarks, including Angel Falls, Los Roques and Mount Avila.
Along with the post, they wrote, “American Airlines has resumed direct flights from the United States to Venezuela for the first time in seven years. This would not have been possible without President Trump’s courageous leadership in Operation Absolute Resolution.”
The U.S. State Department commented that the change was made possible by the military intervention ordered by President Trump in Caracas to arrest Maduro, who is on trial in New York on drug trafficking charges.
‘They are here to stay’
Jacqueline Faría, Minister of Transport in the Delcy Rodríguez government, said American Airlines’ return to the country would be expanded and she was happy to welcome the major airline.
“They have not visited this country in seven years and are staying here with two flights every day,” she told a news conference at Simon Bolivar International Airport.
She said she hoped other airlines would join Venezuelan airspace to strengthen the country’s connectivity. She also noted that the route is expected to carry 1,000 passengers this year.
On May 15, 2019, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued an order suspending all commercial passenger and cargo flights between the two countries. This decision was based on a report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that determined the situation in Venezuela poses a threat to the safety of passengers, aircraft, and crew.
Shortly after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced in 2019, Venezuela’s National Institute for Civil Aviation (INAC) also officially banned U.S. aircraft from Venezuelan airspace “for safety reasons,” but in reality this merely formalized separation measures already in place by the United States.
Featured Image: Video screenshot shared by the U.S. Department of State of the first commercial flight to depart Miami in seven years on April 30.
Image source: U.S. Department of State (X)
