Conviasa Ends China-Venezuela Flight Amid US Military Strikes

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Venezuela’s national airline has paused its last direct passenger flight from China to Venezuela following a military strike by the United States that resulted in the apprehension of the country’s president. The flight from Guangzhou to Caracas, which included a refueling stop in Moscow, was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances, according to an official statement made earlier this week. The flight typically takes nearly 30 hours and operates twice a month.

Since launching the Guangzhou to Caracas route in December 2024, the airline flew 26 passenger flights, transporting over 2,300 passengers and more than 300 tons of cargo, fostering economic, trade, and cultural connections between China and Venezuela.

Recently, the airline announced that only the Guangzhou to Moscow passenger flight on January 5 resumed service, while the Moscow to Caracas flight will now only carry cargo. The suspension of the direct route has made it difficult for travelers in China to reach Venezuela. No direct or connecting flights are available before January 11, and after that date, flights will require three transfers and exceed 40 hours in travel time.

The last return flight from Caracas to Guangzhou operated normally, departing on January 2 and arriving in Beijing on January 4. The next scheduled flight from Guangzhou to Caracas is set for January 16 and appears to be operating as scheduled.

The U.S. launched a surprise military operation in Venezuela early on January 3, which resulted in the detention of President Nicolás Maduro Moros and his wife. Prior to this, sanctions had already hindered the airline’s ability to source parts from Airbus and Boeing, complicating maintenance and operations.

No casualties were reported among Chinese nationals working in Venezuela during the military action, according to official sources. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a warning on January 3, highlighting increased security risks in Venezuela. It advised Chinese citizens to avoid travel to the country and to stay vigilant if they are already there, limiting outings to essential activities and steering clear of conflict zones.