Image: Gate7 X@Gate7aviation
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies | December 22, 2025
BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela — In a defiant move to maintain international connectivity, Venezuelan carrier Rutaca Airlines officially resumed commercial service between Barquisimeto and Panama City on Sunday. The reactivation comes at a time of extreme geopolitical tension, as the Venezuelan aviation sector struggles under a de facto blockade and warnings from Washington.
The flight, departing from General Juan Jacinto Lara International Airport, operated at near-total capacity, carrying 110 passengers outbound and 103 on the return leg. For many travelers, the route represents a “strategic workaround” to bypass the severe restrictions currently crippling the country’s main gateway in Caracas.
The “Airspace Closure” Conflict
The current crisis was sparked on November 29, when U.S. President Donald Trump issued a public warning on social media, urging pilots and global airlines to treat Venezuelan airspace as “closed in its entirety.”5 While not a formal legal blockade, the announcement, combined with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emergency advisory citing “heightened military activity,” caused a mass exodus of international carriers.
In retaliation for these suspensions, the Venezuelan government revoked the operating permits of eight major international airlines, including Iberia, TAP, LATAM, and Avianca, accusing them of “state terrorism” for adhering to U.S. warnings. This has left thousands of passengers stranded, particularly those booked for the December holiday season.
Panama as a Connection Platform
With direct flights to Europe and most of South America suspended, Panama City has become the primary “lifeline” for Venezuelans.
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Strategic Workaround: Domestic airlines like Rutaca and the state-owned Conviasa are using Panama as a hub to allow passengers to reconnect with global destinations.
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Economic Toll: The scarcity of flights has led to skyrocketing ticket prices. Average fares for a regional trip to Panama have surged past $750, a prohibitive cost for many in the crisis-stricken nation.
“Maintaining this connection is vital for family reunions during the holiday season,” said Carlos López, Director of Barquisimeto Airport. “The terminal remains in optimal operating condition, despite the external pressures.”
Current International Flight Status (as of Dec 22, 2025)
| Airline | Status | Destinations |
| Rutaca / Conviasa | Operational | Panama City, Santa Cruz (Bolivia) |
| Turkish Airlines | Limited | Istanbul (Sporadic service) |
| Caribbean Airlines | Operational | Port of Spain |
| Sky High | Operational | Santo Domingo, Curaçao |
| Iberia / TAP / LATAM | Revoked | Madrid, Lisbon, Bogotá (Suspended) |
Military Build-Up in the Caribbean
The aviation standoff is part of a broader “total blockade” strategy.11 The U.S. has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean, conducting maritime interceptions of oil tankers. The FAA’s warning of “potentially hazardous situations” includes reports of GNSS interference (GPS spoofing), which has made insurance for international flights into Venezuela either unavailable or extremely expensive.
While the high-level political “blockade” continues, the atmosphere at the Barquisimeto terminal on Sunday was one of relief and emotion, as families used the newly resumed route to reunite before the year’s end.