ORANJESTAD - The government of Aruba announced last night that the air borders with Venezuela will remain closed for the time being. This means that there will be no flights between the two countries for at least the next four months. Maritime traffic has been allowed under strict conditions for the past year. The borders between Venezuela and the ABC islands were closed in 2019. Curaçao opened both its borders for ships and airplanes in April last year.
Venezuela closed its borders with the ABC islands on February 19, 2019, after the Netherlands, like many other Western countries, deemed the recent presidential elections unfair and did not recognize President Nicolas Maduro's victory. By the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, there was a renewed approach between the countries, leading to some technical meetings and various reopenings. Curaçao opened all its borders. Maritime traffic is also the only option between Bonaire and Venezuela.