MIAMI (TNND) — The first direct commercial flight from the United States to Venezuela in years arrived in the capital, Caracas, on Thursday.
The flight from Miami International Airport comes seven years after the Department of Homeland Security enacted an indefinite suspension, citing security concerns.
The renewed flights between the two nations come after the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in an overnight raid on his Caracas home.
Video shared to X by the State Department shows the plane, adorned with an “America 250” logo, receiving a grand send-off from Miami.
Last month, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas formally reopened as diplomatic relations with the country improved.
“I’m very excited to go and see the family and I’m looking forward to see the country,” passenger Lennart Ochoa of Miami told The Associated Press. Ochoa said being able to get a direct flight to Caracas is “priceless.”
U.S. National Energy Dominance Council Director Jarrod Agen was one of the passengers on Thursday’s flight. He will meet with Venezuelan officials and executives to discuss the entry of U.S. companies into the country under the Trump administration, the Venezuelan government reports.
Ahead of the flight at the airport, American Airlines staff decorated the gate door with balloons in the colors of Venezuela’s flag and passed out mini flags to passengers.
A second flight between Miami and Caracas will start May 21, the airline said.
In January, President Donald Trump announced the reopening of commercial airspace over the country, allowing Americans to visit to visit the country now led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.