The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed temporary airspace restrictions over Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as a security precaution following military action earlier on 3 January that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The ban applies to US-based air carriers and aircraft and is expected to remain in place until early on 4 January.
The restrictions have resulted in several flights being cancelled or delayed.
Despite this, the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) said airports and seaports across the territory remain open.
Cyril E King Airport on St Thomas and Henry E Rohlsen Airport on St Croix are operating, VIPA said, although flights to and from both airports operated by US airlines are suspended or could be cancelled.
“Foreign airlines and military aircraft are not subject to this restriction, per FAA authorisations,” VIPA said, adding that the measure has an initial validity of about 24 hours and could be extended following further evaluation by federal authorities.
VIPA said it remains in contact with the FAA and advised travellers to check with their airline before travelling to the airport.
Earlier on Saturday, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained by what was described as an elite US squad sent to capture the Venezuelan president. Airstrikes were also carried out at several locations in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said the operation was carried out in conjunction with law enforcement. His administration has accused Maduro of leading a Venezuela-based drug cartel.
Both Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. No photographs of the couple have been released, but reports say they are being taken to the United States.
In a post on X, US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and Flores “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”
Leave a Reply