First European flight lands in Venezuela since Maduro's ousterCARACAS, Feb 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A plane from Spain's Air Europa landed in Venezuela Tuesday, according to a flight tracking monitor, the first European commercial flight to arrive in the country since the United States toppled president Nicolas Maduro. A slew of international carriers stopped flying to Venezuela after the United States warned of possible military activity there in late November -- a prelude to its surprise attack on January 3. Since US forces raided Venezuela and captured Maduro, US President Donald Trump has struck a cooperative relationship with interim president Delcy Rodriguez. Portugal's TAP has said it will resume flights. Hoping to prompt US flights, the Trump administration has lifted a 2019 ban on US airlines flying to the country.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha February 18, 2026 04:50 UTC