Resuming Flights Amid Election Tensions: Venezuela and Panama's Airspace Dispute

Venezuela and Panama have resumed normal air travel after a brief disruption. Panama accused Venezuela of blocking a plane with former presidents heading to Caracas to observe an election. Venezuela denied the accusation. The event raised concerns over election transparency and international monitoring.

Authorities from Venezuela and Panama announced on Friday that normal air travel had resumed between the countries. Earlier, Panama had accused Venezuela of blocking a plane carrying former presidents traveling to Caracas to observe Sunday's election.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said on social media that permission had been denied for the plane to take off while the former presidents were on board. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox, one of the passengers, stated in a video that President Nicolas Maduro had suspended all Copa flights to Venezuela. Later, Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha confirmed that flights had resumed.

Martinez-Acha explained that Venezuela had blocked its airspace to Copa Airlines for several hours. Other passengers included former leaders from Panama, Costa Rica, and Bolivia, who expressed hopes of still traveling to Venezuela. Venezuela's transportation minister refuted the claims, posting proof on FlightRadar.

Venezuela issued a decree last week closing all border movements ahead of the election. The U.S. expressed concern over restricted international monitoring and urged a reversal of the decision. While diplomatic friction occurred, Panama has no intention to break relations with Venezuela over this incident.

This week, Argentina and Brazil also withdrew their observers, raising further doubts about election transparency. Maduro insists the electoral system is transparent. U.S. officials are closely monitoring the situation and may adjust sanctions based on the election outcomes.

(With inputs from agencies.)