After U.S. military action in Venezuela led to Caribbean airspace closures, travelers are reconsidering plans. Here’s how to prepare, monitor risks, and protect trips.
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ravelers may be second-guessing their travels in the Caribbean Basin and Latin America after the weekend’s military action in Venezuela.
The Federal Aviation Administration closed airspace in the eastern Caribbean to U.S.-registered aircraft because of increased military activity in the area. Airlines were forced to cancel dozens of flights during the busy holiday travel weekend, stranding thousands of Americans at their destinations across the Caribbean.
Flights have resumed, but the airspace closures have shaken the confidence of some travelers. The Trump administration hasn’t ruled out further military action in Venezuela, and has made provocative comments in the days after the Venezuela action, appearing to threaten similar action in Venezuela, Colombia, Iran, Mexico, Cuba, and Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
What Are the Possibilities?
More airspace closures are possible. If further military action takes place in Venezuela, a repeat of the airspace closures over the weekend is likely, which could ultimately dampen U.S. traveler interest in visiting the region. Impacted countries could also close their airspace to U.S.-registered aircraft, but this is unlikely as it would mean effectively closing air travel between their countries and the U.S.
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The swiftness of the military action in Venezuela could also be cause for concern—many Americans awoke to the news on the morning of January 3. Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela had been rising slowly throughout the fall, but there was little warning of a military incursion of that magnitude.
It’s also worth noting the U.S. and Venezuela have not had direct diplomatic relations since 2019. Of the other countries recently mentioned, only Iran does not currently have direct diplomatic relations—each of the others has an ambassador in Washington which means any deterioration in relations between the U.S. and each of those countries would be slower and more publicized. Travelers would thus likely have more time to monitor any deterioration and adjust their plans accordingly.
How Can Travelers Plan Ahead?
First, they can buy travel insurance as soon as possible. Travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen interruptions to travel—like the flight cancellations in the Caribbean, which the airlines consider beyond their control—but only if the interruption is truly unforeseen. It makes sense to purchase travel insurance if there’s even a hint of a change in the political situation between the U.S. and the country of destination—particularly for travel already booked for distant future dates.
Many travel insurers follow the State Department’s travel advisories when formulating coverage alerts. On January 4, the State Department advised all U.S. citizens and permanent residents in Venezuela to depart the country immediately. In Colombia and parts of Mexico, the advisory level is already Level 3 – Reconsider Travel (each Mexican state has its own advisory level ranging across all four State Department levels). For Cuba and Greenland, the advisory level is Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution.
Travelers can expect that advisory levels will increase if the potential for action impacting travelers is imminent, and should monitor news channels before and during their travel to keep tabs on any change in the diplomatic situation between the U.S. and the country they’re traveling in.
U.S. citizens traveling abroad, regardless of destination, can register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which will allow them to provide contact information so consular officials can send updates on the security situations, health, weather, and other safety topics affecting their travel. Providing contact information also gives consular officials a method for contacting them in emergency situations such as a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency. In situations where Americans are advised to leave the country for their safety, many travelers receive notifications via STEP on the current situation and what arrangements are being made for the safety and security of American citizens in the country.