US lifts Caribbean airspace restrictions after Venezuela strike

The United States lifted airspace restrictions over the Caribbean late on Saturday after barring commercial flights during a US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro and his wife were flown by helicopter to New York City, where they face drug-trafficking and weapons charges.

They were seized by US special forces during a pre-dawn attack in which air strikes pounded sites in and around the Venezuelan capital Caracas late on Saturday.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a post on social media platform X that the initial restrictions expired at 12:00 am (0500 GMT), when flights could resume as scheduled.

"Airlines are informed, and will update their schedules quickly," Duffy said.

The US Federal Aviation Administration notified commercial airlines on Saturday to avoid Caribbean airspace, citing a "potentially hazardous situation."

The notice said the closure was issued due to "safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity."