Trump says US to reopen Venezuelan airspace for commercial travel

Trump said he instructed US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and US military leaders to open up the airspace by the end of the day.

Updated on: Jan 29, 2026, 23:39:25 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

US President Donald Trump said he has informed acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez that he's going to be opening up all commercial airspace over Venezuela and Americans will soon be able to visit.

President Donald Trump speaks during the launch of a program known as Trump Accounts (AP)

Trump said he instructed US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and US military leaders to open up the airspace by the end of the day.

“I just spoke to the President of Venezuela and informed her that we are going to open all commercial airspace over Venezuela. American citizens will be, very shortly, able to go to Venezuela and they'll be safe there,” Trump said in a briefing.

Trump said the Venezuelan leader had told him the government was making strides in improving the security situation in the country.

Soon after Trump's announcement, American Airlines said the carrier plans to resume daily service to Venezuela. However, the US airline added that it is pending government approval and subject to security assessments.

Also Read: Ceasefire for Ukraine? Trump says Putin agreed to week-long pause in fighting during ‘cold snap’

US had suspended flight services to Venezuela in 2019. The US earlier this month attacked Venezuela and seized the country's president, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, in a military operation.

Trump also said that major oil companies were "going to Venezuela now, scouting it out and picking their locations."

Following Maduro's capture, Venezuela has signed oil agreements with Trump. The US President has declared that the US administration controls the South American country's oil, which is the main engine of its economy.

(With inputs from agencies)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.