A major US military operation against Venezuela has triggered widespread travel chaos across the Caribbean, stranding hundreds of passengers and forcing airlines to cancel nearly 900 flights.
Influencer's Desperate Pleas From Paradise
The disruption left Canadian influencer Syd Wingold, who has over one million followers, desperately appealing for a flight home to Toronto from St. Barts just days before her wedding. In a series of Instagram stories, Wingold revealed her scheduled flight had been cancelled, with the next available option not for a full week.
"Is anyone currently in St Barts or St Martin with a plane flying back to North America who would be open to letting me come along," she pleaded in one post. In a later story, she added, "Very happy to dress as your captain."
She later posted a photo of herself posing with industrial cranes in a field, joking they seemed "reliable based on size and structural integrity" and could potentially lift her to Toronto. Her final update showed a cocktail menu, with the message: "While my flight options remain unclear, my drink order has never been more certain."
DiCaprio Forced to Miss Awards Ceremony
The travel restrictions also impacted Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio. The actor, who had been on a yacht in the Caribbean, was forced to miss the Palm Springs International Film Festival where he was due to receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award.
An insider confirmed to the Daily Mail that DiCaprio's absence was announced at the ceremony, citing the restricted airspace. He accepted the award via a pre-recorded video message, which was reportedly a "hit" with the audience. His co-stars from One Battle After Another, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti, accepted the trophy on his behalf.
The festival released a statement saying, "Leonardo DiCaprio is unable to join us in person tonight due to unexpected travel disruptions and restricted airspace."
Cause of the Widespread Disruption
The crisis began after former US President Donald Trump revealed a 'large-scale' operation on Friday night that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. In response, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restricted airspace over Venezuela and parts of the Caribbean.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the move was to "ensure the safety of the flying public." He later confirmed the restrictions would lift at midnight EST on Saturday, allowing operations to resume, but warned it would take time for normal schedules to be restored.
The pre-emptive closure left Venezuelan airspace empty on Saturday and caused a domino effect, disrupting travel across the eastern Caribbean. It remains unclear whether Wingold secured a flight home following the lifting of the restrictions.
