The first direct commercial flight between the United States and Venezuela in nearly seven years landed in Caracas on Thursday. American Airlines Flight 3599 from Miami marked a dramatic reversal of the travel ban imposed during President Trump's first term. Passengers received Venezuelan flags and were celebrated with arepas at Miami International Airport before departure.

The flights were banned in 2019 after the Trump administration cited safety concerns during an earlier standoff with President Nicolás Maduro. At its peak in 2014, American Airlines operated 48 weekly flights from Venezuela, but the collapse of the Venezuelan economy and currency controls trapped nearly $4 billion owed to foreign carriers.

American Airlines will operate daily nonstop service between Miami and Caracas, increasing to twice daily on May 21. The flight carried mostly government officials, airline employees and news media. White House officials met with Venezuelan officials to discuss expanding U.S. oil and mining operations in the country. Some Venezuelan exiles expressed frustration that they remain fearful of traveling to a country still governed by Maduro's Socialist Party.