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.
The resumption of a nonstop commercial flight between the two countries comes months after the U.S. capture of then-President Nicolas 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 the energy and mining sectors as part of the Trump administration's efforts to facilitate the entry of U.S. companies into the South American country, reported the Venezuelan government.
