The first direct U.S.-Venezuela commercial flight in 7 years lands in Caracas

South AmericaThe first direct U.S.-Venezuela commercial flight in 7 years lands in CaracasNonstop commercial flight between the two countries is resuming after the U.S. captured then-President Nicolás Maduro in a stunning nighttime raid on his residence in Caracas in early January.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00 body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__container, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__media-holder, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) #content { z-index: auto; } Add NBC News to GoogleFirst U.S. flight to Venezuela in 7 years lands in Caracas01:30Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 30, 2026, 8:22 PM EDTBy The Associated PressCARACAS, Venezuela — The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela arrived Thursday in the capital of the South American country, seven years after the U.S. Homeland Security Department ordered an indefinite suspension, citing security concerns.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The resumption of a nonstop commercial flight between the two countries comes months after the U.S. capture of then President Nicolás Maduro in a stunning nighttime raid on his residence in Caracas in early January.It also comes a month after the U.S. formally reopened its embassy in Caracas following the restoration of full diplomatic relations with Venezuela.“I’m very excited to go and see the family and I’m looking forward to see the country,” said passenger Lennart Ochoa of Miami shortly before boarding. He said that he was “ready to go” and got his ticket as soon as they were available. “Just to go and see the family on a direct flight from Miami to Caracas is priceless.”The director of the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, Jarrod Agen, was among the passengers on the inaugural flight. Agen is scheduled to meet with Venezuelan officials and executives from energy and mining sectors as part of the Trump administration’s...