Venezuela: Transport links with Dutch islands to resume /update 2

Event

The Venezuelan government announced on Monday, April 9, that a total ban on transportation services connecting the country with the nearby Dutch Caribbean islands of Curacao, Bonaire, and Aruba has been lifted. Transportation services are expected to progressively resume in the coming days and weeks. Aruba Airlines has reportedly already resumed some flights to and from Valencia-Arturo Michelena International Airport (VLN).

Context

The suspension was initially implemented on January 5 as part of an anti-smuggling initiative. The government claims that the smuggling of Venezuelan goods out of the country is rampant, notably in the direction of these islands, and that it has led to major domestic shortages. Most outside observers, however, place the blame for the country's current economic turmoil on poor management of the planned national economy, coupled with a sharp drop in government revenue due to falls in the price of oil, Venezuela's main export.

Advice

Affected individuals are advised to contact their transportation provider for more information.