Venezuela claims the United States asked for permission to resume flights carrying deportees

Tensions between Washington and Caracas have reached fever pitch following U.S. President Donald Trump’s warnings about closing Venezuelan airspace and apparent disagreements between the two leaders during a phone call last week, according to U.S. media. Nevertheless, both governments have agreed to resume deportation flights that were supposed to be suspended, along with flights from several commercial airlines from Europe and Latin America, which canceled their routes following U.S. authorities’ warnings the danger posed by increased military operations.

On Tuesday, a statement from the Venezuelan Ministry of Transportation announced that the United States had requested authorization for Eastern Airlines to continue operating its Phoenix-Maiquetía route. “By order of President Nicolás Maduro, Eastern Airlines aircraft are authorized to enter our airspace.”

As a result, on Wednesdays and Fridays, flights carrying around 200 Venezuelan migrants each will continue as they have been since February, as part of agreements achieved by Trump’s envoy Richard Grenell in exchange for the release of U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela.

A total of 75 flights carrying more than 13,000 Venezuelans have taken place this year, amid Trump’s anti-immigration policies. “The repatriation of our compatriots to reunite Venezuelan families through the Return to the Homeland Plan will continue,” the Venezuelan statement concludes.

The measure further complicates the evolving political crisis between the two countries and the mechanisms that might drive a possible negotiation — or at least a communication channel amid the hostilities. Following a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alert last week advising caution in Venezuelan airspace between November and February 2026, countries such as Colombia, Spain, and Portugal have recommended that their airlines avoid flying to the South American nation. This prompted Nicolás Maduro’s government to announce a temporary suspension of operating licenses for flights to Venezuela for Iberia, Plus Ultra, Air Europa, Turkish Airlines, Gol, Latam, TAP, and Avianca.

This was in retaliation for joining what Caracas called “acts of state terrorism” by Washington. The companies have not received official notifications of the decision, nor has the measure been published in Venezuela’s official gazette. Tensions escalated further when President Trump reiterated on his social media that Venezuelan airspace was “closed in its entirety.”

Amid the uncertainty, airlines have followed their countries’ directives. The Spanish Aviation Safety Agency imposed a restriction until December 31, leading to the cancellation of approximately 36 weekly flights carrying around 300 passengers each during peak season. Portugal, for its part, issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) on Tuesday limiting operations with Venezuela until December 10. Airlines such as Panama’s Copa and Wingo are operating with extreme caution, flying only during daylight hours. Domestic flights within Venezuela continue to operate normally.

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