The United States late Saturday lifted temporary airspace restrictions over parts of the Caribbean that had forced the suspension of commercial flights during a US military operation in Venezuela.
The restrictions were imposed amid an operation that, according to Washington, led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
US officials said the pair were flown by helicopter to New York City, where they are expected to face charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offences.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on social media platform X that the airspace limitations expired at 12:00 a.m. local time (0500 GMT), allowing flights to resume. “Airlines are informed and will update their schedules quickly,” he said.
Earlier on Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had advised commercial airlines to avoid Caribbean airspace, citing a “potentially hazardous situation.” The FAA said the closure was necessary due to “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity.”
The restrictions followed reports of a pre-dawn US operation in Venezuela, during which air strikes targeted sites in and around the capital, Caracas.
International reaction to the developments has continued to build, with several countries condemning the US action, while Venezuela’s Supreme Court has since appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president.
Flights across the affected region are now expected to return to normal operations.