On Thursday, Venezuela's interim government under Delcy Rodríguez granted permission for the U.S. Embassy in Caracas to conduct an evacuation drill on Saturday. The exercise will involve two aircraft flying over the capital and landing at the American diplomatic compound.
Foreign Minister Yván Gil released the official statement, which was broadcast by Globovisión and widely shared on social media. This drill is described as part of "routine security and diplomatic protection protocols" and is scheduled for May 23 in case of medical emergencies or catastrophic events.
According to the Venezuelan government's official communication, "two aircraft will perform controlled flights over Caracas and execute landing operations at the facilities of the United States Embassy in Caracas."
The event will be coordinated with Venezuelan aviation authorities and will include the participation of the Venezuelan Red Cross for evacuation and emergency response components.
The image of U.S. aircraft authorized to fly over Caracas carries significant symbolic weight. Just four months ago, on January 3, 2026, U.S. forces executed "Operation Absolute Resolution," capturing Nicolás Maduro on Venezuelan soil.
Following this operation, Rodríguez assumed interim presidency, and Venezuela rapidly pivoted towards Washington. On March 5, both nations formally announced the restoration of diplomatic and consular relations, which had been severed since 2019.
The U.S. Embassy in Caracas, closed for almost seven years, has been gradually reopening with Laura Dogu serving as the chargé d'affaires since January 31, 2026.
On April 1, the United States removed Delcy Rodríguez from its Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list.
April 30 saw American Airlines launch direct Miami-Caracas flights after nearly seven years without service.
On May 17, Venezuela extradited Alex Saab to the United States, signaling the depth of the bilateral shift.
The Venezuelan communiqué specifies that "all arrangements for this activity have been coordinated through the Protocol, Immunities, and Privileges Directorate of the Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs," emphasizing the formal and consensual nature of the exercise.
This marks the first time since Maduro's capture that U.S. aircraft will fly over the Venezuelan capital with explicit authorization from Caracas, underscoring the new political order in Venezuela and the profound change in relations between the two countries.
Key Questions on U.S.-Venezuela Diplomatic Relations
What is the significance of the U.S. aircraft drill in Caracas?
The drill represents a significant shift in diplomatic relations, highlighting cooperation between Venezuela and the United States after years of strained ties.
When were diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Venezuela restored?
Diplomatic and consular relations were formally restored on March 5, after being severed since 2019.
How did the U.S. and Venezuela's diplomatic relationship change in 2026?
In 2026, the capture of Nicolás Maduro and subsequent political changes led to a rapid restoration of diplomatic ties with the United States.