Panama and Venezuela to resume flights suspended for almost a year in diplomatic tensions

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama and Venezuela will resume commercial flights nearly a year after suspending them when they broke off diplomatic relations, Panama’s Civil Aviation Authority said Thursday.

Venezuela pulled its diplomatic representation from Panama last July after Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino refused to recognize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s reelection.

The Association of Venezuelan Airlines said that flights would resume “gradually.”

“All of the airlines that had permits can begin to operate when their itineraries allow,” Marisela De Loaiza, president of the association, said in a statement. The Venezuelan government did not immediately comment.

Earlier Thursday, Mulino said during his weekly news briefing that he had received a letter from Venezuela, but that he hadn’t immediately read it. Mulino did say, however, that it would be in Panama’s interest to resume flights, though he said he also wanted Venezuela to agree to receive Venezuelan migrants deported from Panama.

Travelers walk through Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Thursday, May 22, 2025, as Panama and Venezuela prepare to resume commercial flights nearly a year after suspending them when Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino refused to recognize the re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Some commercial airlines had already begun advertising flights between Panama and Venezuela on Thursday.

Panamanian carrier Copa announced flights would resume and said its team was working to confirm the itineraries. Venezolana Airlines advertised a flight beginning on Friday.

Earlier this week, Venezuela banned the arrival of flights from Colombia after it said it had arrested more than 30 people who were allegedly plotting activities to destabilize the country ahead of legislative elections Sunday.

Last July, Panama was one of the first Latin American countries to demand from Venezuelan authorities a full review of the presidential electoral results after the country’s electoral authority declared Maduro the winner.

A plane lands at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Thursday, May 22, 2025, as Panama and Venezuela prepare to resume commercial flights nearly a year after suspending them when Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino refused to recognize the re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Travelers walk through Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Thursday, May 22, 2025, as Panama and Venezuela prepare to resume commercial flights nearly a year after suspending them when Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino refused to recognize the re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

More Articles

Leave a Reply