In a significant diplomatic development, former President Donald Trump has declared that he has personally instructed United States officials to reopen Venezuelan airspace for commercial travel. This announcement marks a notable shift in US-Venezuela relations, potentially easing long-standing restrictions that have limited air connectivity between the two nations.
Direct Communication with Venezuelan Leadership
Trump revealed that he has communicated this decision directly to Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez, indicating a high-level engagement aimed at facilitating the reopening process. The move is set to allow all commercial airspace over Venezuela to become accessible once again, paving the way for American airlines and travellers to resume operations and visits to the South American country.
Timeline for Implementation
The former president specified that this directive is to be enacted by the end of Thursday, 29 January 2026, suggesting an urgent timeline for US authorities to coordinate with their Venezuelan counterparts. This swift action could see American citizens able to visit Venezuela in the near future, potentially boosting tourism and business exchanges that have been hampered by previous airspace closures.
This development, reported via the AP news wire, underscores Trump's ongoing influence in international affairs and his administration's approach to foreign policy. The reopening of Venezuelan airspace represents a concrete step towards normalising travel and economic interactions, though it remains to be seen how this will impact broader diplomatic relations between the United States and Venezuela.
