Venezuela-Panama Air Travel Resumes Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Following an accusation by Panama that Venezuela had blocked a plane carrying ex-presidents, air travel between the two countries has resumed. Venezuela denied blocking the flights, stating they were following a decree to maintain election security. The situation has drawn international concern over Venezuela's election transparency.

Authorities from Venezuela and Panama announced on Friday that normal air travel had resumed between the two countries. This follows an earlier accusation by Panama that Venezuela had blocked a plane carrying ex-presidents en route to Caracas to observe Sunday's election. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino revealed on social media that the plane was denied permission to take off as long as the former presidents remained on board.

One of the passengers, former Mexican President Vicente Fox, shared a video from Tocumen Airport in Panama, stating: '(Venezuela President) Nicolas Maduro has caused all Copa flights heading to Caracas and Venezuela to be suspended.' However, Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha later confirmed that flights had since resumed.

The Venezuelan government allegedly blocked its airspace to Copa Airlines for several hours. The passengers included Panama's Mireya Moscoso, Costa Rica's Miguel Angel Rodriguez, and Bolivia's Jorge Quiroga. They stated at a press conference that they would like to be in Venezuela but did not clarify if they would still attempt to travel there.

Venezuela's authorities refuted Mulino's earlier claims and shared images of Copa Airlines operating in Venezuelan airspace from flight tracking website FlightRadar. Recently, Venezuela issued a decree closing border movements by land, air, and sea to ensure security ahead of Sunday's presidential election, where Maduro is seeking a third term.

Senior U.S. officials expressed concern over Maduro's steps to limit international monitoring and urged him to reconsider preventing regional ex-presidents from traveling to observe the election. While Panama's foreign ministry summoned Venezuela's diplomatic representative, they stated there was no intention to sever diplomatic relations but acted in response to an unforeseen event.

Additionally, former Argentine President Alberto Fernandez and Brazil's electoral court recently withdrew from their observer roles, raising concerns about the election's fairness. Maduro maintains that Venezuela has the world's most transparent electoral system. U.S. officials continue to monitor the situation closely and may adjust Washington's sanctions policy based on the election's outcome.

(With inputs from agencies.)