US resumes passenger flights to Venezuela after seven year hiatus

Published: 2026-04-30 18:52:57 ET AAL

Published on 04/30/2026 at 06:52 pm EDT - Modified on 04/30/2026 at 06:53 pm EDT

STORY: An American Airlines flight from Miami landed in Venezuela on Thursday - marking the first commercial U.S. flight there in seven years.

With the restart to daily U.S. flights to Caracas, diplomats hailed a stronger relationship between the two countries.

Here's U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Venezuela, John Barrett:

"We are witnessing the rebuilding of our economic ties, the reopening of Venezuela to global commerce and the reconnecting of our two countries."

In January, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy lifted a 2019 order that had barred U.S. airlines from flying to Venezuela, on President Donald Trump's orders.

:: Archive

That was after the ?U.S. military seized Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro.

Weeks later, Duffy granted an American Airlines request to restart flights... and the plan was put in motion.

American was the largest U.S. airline in Venezuela before the ban.

This Caracas native booked a trip as soon as he was able to:

"Well, for me this is very important, to be on the first flight. I bought the tickets immediately, when they were available. And well, I want to get to Caracas, Venezuela and visit the family, meet the new nephews that I haven't met, since it's been more than 18 years without going to Venezuela."

The State Department lifted Venezuela from its "Do Not Travel" list for Americans in March.

A less serious "Reconsider Travel" advisory was put in place due to risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and poor health infrastructure.