Dutch citizens urged to leave Venezuela as KLM cancels Caribbean flights

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging citizens in Venezuela to let friends and family know they are okay after a series of explosions and a U.S. military operation in Caracas. The ministry said Dutch nationals needing assistance should contact travel agencies or the embassy in Caracas, which remains open.

The advisory follows early Saturday attacks in Caracas and the surrounding states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and removed from the country, though the U.S. government has not officially confirmed the operation. Venezuelan authorities declared a national state of emergency and described Trump's behavior as “military aggression.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel (VVD) said on X that he is closely monitoring developments. “The situation in Caracas is still unclear,” he said, adding that he is in contact with the embassy, the Ministry of Defense, and Caribbean nations. “Our attention goes primarily to the safety of Dutch citizens in Venezuela and of the Kingdom.”

Dutch travel advisories for Venezuela have been marked red since June 18, 2025, recommending that all citizens leave the country. A ministry spokesperson said, “We have no immediate idea how many Dutch citizens are currently in Venezuela,” but stressed that the government is closely monitoring the situation.

The crisis also disrupted KLM flights. The airline announced it could not operate flights to Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten due to the closed airspace near Curaçao. Flights to Georgetown, Guyana, and Bridgetown, Barbados, were also canceled. About 1,200 passengers on five flights were affected. KLM added that all aircraft already en route from the Caribbean were safely brought to Amsterdam.

“We follow the situation closely and will later decide whether planned flights can proceed. The safety of our passengers and employees is our top priority,” the airline said. KLM also noted that some routes to other destinations may need to be adjusted due to the airspace closure.

PVV leader Geert Wilders expressed support for Trump’s actions. “Bang, boom, Maduro gone,” he posted on X, accompanied by a flexed-arm emoji.

“All for oil and oil for everything,” said SP leader Jimmy Dijk on X. “Trump is bombing boats, drowning people, ports, and now another country. This military expansion is causing international instability and putting lives at risk.” Dijk said the Dutch cabinet should condemn the attack.

PvdD MP Christine Teunissen called it an “illegal attack” that affects people “already in an extremely vulnerable situation.” She also urged the cabinet to condemn the strike “strongly” and called for attention to protecting the residents of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.