WASHINGTON — In a significant diplomatic shift, the Trump administration has initiated steps to normalize relations with Venezuela. President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday that he has directed authorities to reopen all commercial airspace over Venezuela, with American citizens expected to gain travel access shortly.
Trump stated he personally communicated this development to Venezuelan official Delcy Rodríguez and has tasked Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy alongside military leadership with executing the airspace reopening by day’s end. “American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there,” the President asserted.
This announcement coincides with broader efforts to restore diplomatic ties severed in 2019. Earlier this week, the State Department notified Congress of its intention to implement a phased approach toward potentially resuming operations at Embassy Caracas. Official correspondence to ten House and Senate committees revealed plans to deploy temporary staff for selective diplomatic functions, marking the initial phase of this normalization process.
The diplomatic rupture originated from the 2019 U.S. military operation that ousted former President Nicolás Maduro. Since then, travel advisories have remained at the highest alert level, with explicit warnings against travel due to risks including wrongful detention, torture, and kidnapping. As of Thursday, the State Department’s “Do Not Travel” advisory remained officially active despite the announced policy changes.
This policy reversal represents one of the most substantial developments in U.S.-Venezuela relations in recent years, suggesting a potential thaw in longstanding tensions between the nations.