The Department of State posted a video to the social media platform X that reveals that there will now be commercial flights between Florida and Caracas. Users took to the comments to share their opinions on the video, which features an American Airlines plane slowly driving under an arch made with pressurized water. Many of these comments condemn the decision and even the video itself.
The video in question features a caption that says, “For nearly 7 years there have been no direct commercial flights between the U.S. and Venezuela. Under President Trump we’re changing that today. Flights between Miami and Caracas restored.”
This decision was originally made in May 2019 following the detention of former Acting President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, due to safety and security risks. These risks also included political instability and concerns about airport security overall. Now, flights are expected to depart directly from Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, to Caracas.
Recently, a US special forces soldier was arrested after allegedly winning over $400,00o in a betting scheme related to Maduro’s capture after mishandling confidential government information.
Reactions to the Department of State Opening Commercial Flights to Venezuela
Commenters on the video were quick to offer their opinions, with many condemning the decision to open direct flights. One person wrote, “Americans: We want cheap gas and no more forever wars in the Middle East. Trump administration: Best I can do is a direct flight from Miami to Caracas and indicting James Comey.“
Others looked deeper into the situation, whether Venezuela is currently in transition, with one person writing, “What’s the point of restoring air connectivity while more than 500 political prisoners remain behind bars and there is still no clear roadmap for free elections? A country is not in transition because planes are landing again. A real transition begins when political prisoners are released, repression ends, and Venezuelans are allowed to choose their future freely. Anything short of that is just normalization without freedom.“
Other commenters cited rising oil and gas prices in their comments against the decision, saying, “That won’t save the tourism industry you’re decimating with high oil prices.”
This news comes one month after the United States formally reopened its embassy in Caracas, following the restoration of diplomatic relations. Allegedly, passengers were provided with Venezuelan flags, and the gate door leading to the plane was decorated with balloons in the color of the Venezuelan flag.
