Thousands of tourists have been left stranded across the Caribbean after a sudden closure of airspace around Venezuela, triggered by a dramatic US military operation to capture the country's president, Nicolás Maduro.
Holiday Plans Shattered by Midnight Alert
The crisis unfolded for many unsuspecting holidaymakers in the early hours of New Year's Day. One American tourist, speaking anonymously to the Daily Mail, described being woken by a text alert from Delta Air Lines cancelling his flight from St. Thomas to New York. He was forced to join a 40-minute hold queue with thousands of others, initially unaware of the geopolitical storm causing the disruption.
"I didn't put two-and-two together," the tourist admitted, after later reading news of the US strike on Venezuela, roughly 600 miles from his location. His confusion only cleared when a Delta employee explained that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had closed all airspace around Venezuela until at least Sunday morning, grounding all outbound flights.
Mounting Costs and Rolling Delays
The immediate consequence for stranded passengers is significant financial strain and uncertainty. The tourist and his partner have been compelled to pay an extra $1,600 for an additional night at the Westin Beach Resort & Spa, a sum far exceeding their original booking rate. While Delta has issued a travel waiver, it remains unclear if this will cover accommodation costs for those trapped.
"I am worried about being stuck here and incurring additional costs," he said. "You know, it's not cheap... It's not fun." His rebooked flight is scheduled for Sunday, but with Delta's website showing no available outbound flights from St. Thomas until Saturday, January 10, many fear the 24-hour delay could become indefinite.
Widespread Airport Disruption Across the Region
The airspace closure has caused a domino effect of cancellations across the Caribbean. Key airports have been severely impacted:
- Cyril E. King Airport (St. Thomas): 43 flights cancelled.
- Queen Beatrix International Airport (Aruba): 44 flights cancelled.
- Luis Muñoz Marín International (Puerto Rico): 169 flights cancelled – the highest number.
In total, 19 airports are affected, including those on the US and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, St. Lucia, and Barbados. The disruption stems directly from Operation Absolute Resolve, which US President Donald Trump declared complete, though he warned the military was prepared for further action if needed.
President Maduro was captured by US Delta Force operatives and is en route to the United States to face narcoterrorism charges. While his capture sparked celebrations among some Venezuelan diaspora communities in the Caribbean, the atmosphere in Caracas was tense, with locals queuing at supermarkets amid fears of greater economic instability.
For the thousands of tourists caught in the crossfire of international geopolitics, the priority remains a swift and safe return home, as they watch the skies and hope for the airspace to reopen.
