US resumes direct flights to Venezuela after seven years

MIAMI: The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela in seven years arrived near Caracas on Thursday, marking another sign of improving ties after a prolonged period of strain between Washington and Caracas.

An American Airlines flight departed Miami at 1426 GMT for the Venezuelan capital. The resumption of air links comes as the United States has also restored a diplomatic presence in Caracas following years of tension.

The passenger list on the inaugural flight was made up largely of officials and journalists. Senior US officials were also on board to travel to Caracas for meetings with government leaders, an engagement that would have been difficult to imagine only a few months ago.

At the departure gate in Miami, passengers were received by representatives of the city, which serves as a major hub for Latin American communities and sees itself as a gateway to the region. Venezuela’s ambassador to Washington, Felix Plasencia, was also present.

The first flight also included a specially prepared Venezuelan menu for passengers, featuring cachapas, described as corn pancakes, and a Venezuelan-style chicken salad.

Thaw in relations

The renewed air connection is expected to have broader implications for travel and business. Around 1.2 million Venezuelans live in the United States, while the easing in relations is also expected to strengthen the US business footprint in Venezuela, a country that holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

At the same time, President Donald Trump has been pursuing measures to remove Venezuelans from the United States, including ending a programme that had protected migrants from deportation.

Political backdrop

The development follows major political changes in Venezuela. On Jan 3, US forces carried out a deadly raid in Caracas, capturing longtime US adversary Nicolas Maduro and flying him and his wife to New York, where they are to face drug trafficking charges. They deny the allegations.

Following Maduro’s removal, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez took over and has, largely worked with the United States despite her ideological background.

The resumption of direct flights is the latest visible step in the shift in relations between the two countries, with diplomatic engagement and travel links now reopening after a seven-year break.

The reopening of the route also underscores Miami’s role as a key point of connection between the United States and Venezuela, particularly for the large Venezuelan community living in the US.