International Desk :
The first direct flight between the United States and Venezuela in seven years is set to begin on Thursday, seen as a fresh sign of warming ties between the two countries after Washington ousted the country’s leftist leader, Nicolas Maduro.
An American Airlines flight is scheduled to depart Miami at 10:16 a.m. local time for Caracas.
The United States has restored diplomatic relations with Caracas after a long period of tension.
AFP reported from Miami.
Passengers will be greeted at Gate D55 by representatives of the U.S. government, the city of Miami and Venezuelan Ambassador to Washington Felix Plasencia.
The flight will land at Simón BolÃvar International Airport more than three hours later.
The airport, better known as Mycotia, is expected to be packed with media.
About 1.2 million Venezuelans live in the United States. The improved relations are expected to boost U.S. business presence in the South American country.
But President Donald Trump has taken a hard line on removing Venezuelans from the United States.
He has scrapped a program that protected immigrants from being sent back to the country where they face criminal charges.
On January 3, U.S. forces captured Maduro in a raid in Caracas. He and his wife were taken to New York to face trial on drug trafficking charges, charges they deny.
Maduro has been replaced by his vice president, Delcy Rodriguez.
He has been playing a more cooperative role with the United States.
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