Travelers are caught in the middle amid U.S. action in Venezuela. What they’re facing, LIVE on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m.
On Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration closed portions of Caribbean and Venezuelan airspace. Delta quickly issued travel waivers for flights to and from 13 Caribbean airports, impacting travelers across the region.
David Jolley of Atlanta was scheduled to leave Aruba on Monday but now isn’t sure when he’ll be able to get home.
“A lot of people who are trying to get back to the U.S. are being rebooked through other countries just to find a way home,” Jolley explained to Channel 2’s Brittany Kleinpeter.
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Trump US Venezuela In this photo released by the White House, President Donald Trump monitors U.S. military operations in Venezuela, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, left, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Molly Riley/The White House via AP) (Molly Riley/AP)
US Venezuela Federal law enforcement personnel patrol outside the Metropolitan Detention Center as they await the arrival of captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
Atlanta Venezuela protest Protesters in Atlanta take issue with the U.S. invasion of Venezuela Jan. 3. (Source: WSBTV)
Atlanta venezuela protest Protesters speak out against the U.S. invasion of Venezuela Jan. 3. (Source: WSBTV)
Gwinnett Venezuela protest A protest was held in Gwinnett County in response to President Trump's takeover of Venezuela.
Gwinnett Venezuela protest A protest was held in Gwinnett County in response to President Trump's takeover of Venezuela. (Source: WSBTV)
US Venezuela People celebrate after President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, in Doral, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck) (Jen Golbeck/AP)
Colombia Venezuela US Venezuelans embrace during a rally to celebrate after President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured by U.S. forces, in Cúcuta, on the Colombian border with Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Santiago Saldarriaga) (Santiago Saldarriaga/AP)
US Venezuela Demonstrators celebrate the arrival of captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
US Venezuela Protesters rally outside the White House Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Mexico Venezuela US People celebrate the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro outside Venezuela's Embassy in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) (Marco Ugarte/AP)
Trump Says Maduro 'Captured' After Large-Scale Attack On Venezuela LA GUAIRA, VENEZUELA - JANUARY 03: People drive by a highway past a damaged area of Port of La Guaira after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on January 03, 2026 in La Guaira, Venezuela. According to some reports, explosions were heard in Caracas and other cities near airports and military bases around 2 am. US President Donald Trump later announce that his country's military had launched a "large-scale" attack on Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images) (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
Trump Says Maduro 'Captured' After Large-Scale Attack On Venezuela CARACAS, VENEZUELA - JANUARY 03: Supporters of Nicolas Maduro hold a poster with his image near Miraflores Palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard and Maduro's capture was confirmed on January 03, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. According to some reports, explosions were heard in Caracas and other cities near airports and military bases around 2 am. US President Donald Trump later announced that his country's military had launched a "large-scale" attack on Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images) (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
US Venezuela Protestors rally outside the White House, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
Mexico Venezuela US Farmers from Atenco with machetes gather outside Venezuela's Embassy to protest against the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) (Marco Ugarte/AP)
Maduro President Donald Trump posted a photo purportedly of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after his capture by U.S. forces. (Source: Truth Social/@realdonaldtrump/CNN Newsource)
Trump Says Maduro 'Captured' After Large-Scale Attack On Venezuela LA GUAIRA, VENEZUELA - JANUARY 03: Smoke rises from Port of La Guaira after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on January 03, 2026 in La Guaira, Venezuela. According to some reports, explosions were heard in Caracas and other cities near airports and military bases around 2 am. US President Donald Trump later announce that his country's military had launched a "large-scale" attack on Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images) (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
Another traveler, Dr. Omivi Bailey, said his flight from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Africa was canceled Friday, just as news broke that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured. While it’s unclear whether the two events are directly connected, the cancellation left him stranded in Atlanta through Saturday.
“We didn’t get any notice. No reason was given,” Bailey said. “Usually, they’ll say weather or mechanical issues, but there was nothing. We were scrambling, and nobody could figure out how to get us on flights.”
Delta is warning Caribbean travelers that flights between Jan. 3 and Jan. 6 could face changes or cancellations. While many hope travel will return to normal after Monday, others like Jolley say they’re standing by for clearance.
“My main concern is getting back to work,” Jolley said. “I’m OK being stuck here for a few days, but you also have to think about accommodations—booking last minute, whether there’s space available, and all of that.”
Late Saturday, FlightAware showed 87 flight cancellations out of Hartsfield-Jackson. Delta is encouraging travelers to continue checking its app and website for the latest flight updates.
