Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: President Donald Trump said the United States will reopen commercial airspace over Venezuela and described a new phase of engagement that includes US oil companies scouting opportunities in the country. He told a Cabinet meeting he had spoken with Venezuela’s interim president and ordered immediate steps to restore travel. “I just spoke to the president of Venezuela and informed her that we’re going to be opening up all commercial airspace over Venezuela,” he said. “American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela.”
Trump said travelers would be safe. “They’ll be safe there,” he said. “It’s under very strong control.” Trump said Venezuelans in the United States were closely watching the move. “The people in our country, like in the Doral section of Miami, which is considered Little Venezuela, they’re thrilled,” he said.
He linked the shift to what he described as a successful security operation and improving ties. “As you know, we’ve had a situation take place with respect to Venezuela,” Trump said. “I want to just thank, uh, General Caine and his staff for the job that they’ve done.”
Trump added, “We’re getting along really well with them. The relationships have been very strong, very good.”
On energy, Trump said US companies were already moving. “We have the major oil companies going to Venezuela now, scouting it out and picking their locations,” he said. He said the effort would benefit both sides. “They’ll be bringing back tremendous wealth for Venezuela and for the United States,” Trump said. “And the oil companies will do fine, too.”