The United States lifted temporary airspace restrictions over the Caribbean late Saturday, allowing commercial flights to resume following a US military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Maduro and his wife were taken into custody during a pre-dawn raid and later transported by helicopter to New York City, where they are expected to face drug-trafficking and weapons-related charges.
According to US officials, special forces carried out the operation as air strikes targeted locations in and around the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a post on the social media platform X that the restrictions expired at 12:00 am (0500 GMT). He added that airlines had been notified and would adjust their schedules accordingly.
Earlier on Saturday, the US Federal Aviation Administration instructed commercial carriers to avoid Caribbean airspace, citing a “potentially hazardous situation.” The advisory said the closure was implemented due to safety risks linked to ongoing military activity.
