Caribbean travel disrupted by Venezuela operation; insurance options and tips

A recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela caused widespread flight cancellations and left thousands of travelers stranded across the Caribbean, including passengers at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport near San Juan, Puerto Rico, after the Federal Aviation Administration closed some airspace to U.S.

civilian aircraft. Travelers have responded by buying insurance: Hopper reported a 67 percent jump in insurance purchases "since U.S. forces raided Venezuela and captured its president," according to Lindsay Schwimer, a spokeswoman. But U.S. engagement with Venezuela is already a "known event," said Suzanne Morrow of InsureMyTrip, meaning policies bought after the operation will likely not cover that disruption.

Standard policies often exclude military-related events; some insurers offer add-ons such as "cancel for any reason" (C.F.A.R.) policies if purchased within two weeks of booking, and those options carry limits and higher costs. Practical steps include buying refundable or changeable plane tickets and hotel reservations directly through airlines or hotels, since bookings through third-party agencies can limit flexibility.

The FAA restrictions applied only to U.S. civilian aircraft, and some non-U.S. carriers continued flying: Caribbean Airlines said its operations were unaffected, and Air Canada Rouge and Copa Airlines also maintained service to some Caribbean destinations, though some smaller airports closed.

Key Topics

World, Venezuela, Federal Aviation Administration, Travel Insurance, Hopper, Copa Airlines