Trump says Americans will be "safe" as Venezuelan airspace reopens
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President Trump on Jan. 28 in D.C. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Venezuela's commercial airspace is set to reopen and Americans will soon be able to visit the Latin American country, President Trump announced Thursday.
The big picture: Trump in early January ordered the closure of airspace above and around Venezuela after the U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
- "It's under very strong control," Trump said, adding that American citizens will be "safe" in Venezuela.
- The president added that some Venezuelans want to return to their country or visit — and "they're going to be able to do that."
- State of play: After Maduro's capture, the Federal Aviation Administration in January issued a 60-day warning, urging aircraft operators to "exercise caution" when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Central America and parts of South America.
- The FAA said Thursday it had removed four Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) in the Caribbean region and advisories to Curaçao, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and the Piarco Flight Information Regions.
- "Safety remains our top priority, and we look forward to facilitating the return of regular travel between the U.S. and Venezuela," the agency said in a statement.
Worth noting: Despite Trump's assurances, the State Department has yet to lift its Venezuela travel advisory, which remains at the highest level and encourages Americans not to travel there.
- The agency did not immediately respond to Axios' request asking whether the advisory would be removed later Thursday.
Zoom in: American Airlines announced Thursday it would become the first airline to reinstate nonstop service between the U.S. and Venezuela.
- The airline previously operated in Venezuela, starting in 1987 before suspending operations between the two countries in 2019.
Go deeper: Caribbean flights canceled as Trump strikes Venezuela
