Venezuelan Embassy Staff Depart Spain Amidst Ongoing Airport Stranding Crisis
Madrid, Spain – December 4, โ2025 -โ As hundreds of Venezuelan citizens remain stranded at Madrid’s Barajas Airport (T1), personnel from the Venezuelan Embassy inโข Spain have reportedly leftโฃ the country for Cuba, according to reports emerging Wednesday.โ The departure coincides with a growing humanitarianโค situation as Spanish airlines continue to suspend โflights to Venezuela following a security alert issued by authorities related to tensions between Washington and Caracas.
The situation began after Spanish authorities recommended โฃflights to venezuela be suspended until at least December 31st due to security concerns. This led to widespread cancellations, leaving numerous passengers – โขincludingโ at least five minors as of Wednesday – stuck in madrid with limited resources. Many had purchased tickets through travel โขagencies promising travel insurance, โฃwhich passengers โnow believe to beโข fraudulent.
Passengers, learning of a promised solution from the โembassy, have been returning toโข the airport to registerโ on lists in hopes of securing repatriation flights, possibly to Colombiaโค or Havana. Those traveling with childrenโค who initially sought shelter with relatives or โfriends have also rejoined the โgroup atโฃ the terminal.
The Spanish Redโ Cross has been providing assistance, conducting censuses of those affected and offering medication.On Tuesday โnight,the Red Cross provided temporary shelter for some,while others remained at the airport guarding their belongings. Personnel returnedโ Wednesday โafternoon to update the list of โthose affected and explore options for expanding shelter โคaccess, especially for women, children, and the elderly.
Stranded passengers have also receivedโ support from individuals donating funds for food; a 50 euro donation on Wednesday morning allowed โขthe group toโ purchase bread, cheese, and water.
Those affected have appealed to AENA, the Spanish airportโ management authority, forโค a resolution, acknowledging AENA’s interestโ in clearing the terminal. Though, they remain at the airport awaiting a responseโข from airlines.
The departure of Venezuelan Embassy staff for Cuba raises furtherโ questions about the immediate future โof assistance for thoseโ stranded and the progress of negotiations to resume flights.
