The U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of the country early Saturday also disrupted Caribbean travel at a busy travel time for the region.
No airline flights were crossing over Venezuela that day, according to FlightRadar24.com. And major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean region and warned passengers that disruptions could continue for days after the Federal Aviation Administration imposed restrictions.
Flights were canceled to and from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba and more than a dozen other destinations in the Lesser Antilles island group north of Venezuela. Airlines waived change fees for passengers who had to reschedule flights.
But U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Saturday night that the restrictions would end at midnight EST and airlines would be able to resume normal operations Sunday.
Southwest Airlines said in a statement that it added six extra round-trip flights to Puerto Rico on Sunday's schedule and another eight round-trips on Monday to help get travelers home from their vacations. It also added two additional Sunday flights to Aruba.
At the Queen Beatrix airport in Aruba, a popular holiday destination for U.S. vacationers just 15 miles (24 kilometers) off Venezuela’s coast, officials said they expected a return to normal Sunday after a day of canceled flights that stranded travelers or blocked them from flying to the island.
In Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said at a news conference that “the consequences of the conflict have been exceedingly disruptive to both of our ports of entry,” an airport as well as a seaport from which cruise ships sail.
In Puerto Rico, Lou Levine, his wife and their three children were due to return to the Washington, D.C., area Saturday morning, but he woke up to his wife saying their flight was canceled. He found out why when he checked his phone.
They first tried calling JetBlue to reschedule. The airline called back about two hours later, but the agent was not able to help them. Levine and his wife saw others messaging JetBlue on social media and did the same. The airline responded and booked them on a flight Saturday, turning their weeklong New Year’s holiday into a two-week sojourn.
Levine, a manager at a software company, said he is fortunate to have a flexible and understanding employer. But his daughter will be missing a week of high school. And then there are the unexpected expenses.
“I love it here. But we have dog-sitting and cat-sitting and car rental. It’s fine. It’s just really painful on the wallet,” Levine said.
The Levines hoped to book an earlier trip back if possible.
This weekend was already past the peak 13-day holiday period when AAA projected that 122.4 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home, but there were plenty of travelers still trying to squeeze in some more time on tropical beaches before heading back to colder temperatures.
“The Caribbean is a top destination this time of the year,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. “We do have a lot of people who are trying to get back home this weekend ahead of work and school on Monday.”
Diaz said “it’s understandable we want to unplug,” but travelers should keep track of what's going on and allow airlines to send them phone alerts.
An announcement by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that was posted on the social platform X said restrictions were put in place because of the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela.
As a result, nearly 60% of all flights to and from that airport were canceled Saturday, according to FlightAware.com.
Foreign airlines and military aircraft were not included in the restriction, the statement said. Air Canada said its flights to the Caribbean were operating normally, though it gave travelers an option to rebook. Another Canadian airline, WestJet, said it canceled Aruba flights “out of an abundance of caution.”
All major U.S. airlines cancelled flights across the Eastern Caribbean Saturday because of the restrictions and adjusted their schedules.
Nearly two dozen island destinations were affected by the cancellations, including Anguilla, Antigua, Curacao, St. Lucia and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. But destinations farther to the west like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were generally not affected.
New York-based JetBlue said it canceled about 215 flights “due to airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity.”
Dutch airline KLM said it too canceled flights affecting thousands of passengers but planned to resume service Sunday to and from Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire and other islands.
The flight disruptions also affected some travelers booked for Caribbean cruises. Cruise operator Virgin Voyages said airline travelers unable to make it to San Juan in time for an upcoming cruise departure would be able to get a full credit for a future trip.
Smoke rises from Fort Tiuna, the main military garrison in Caracas, Venezuela, after multiple explosions were heard and aircraft swept through the area, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 4, 2026--
Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announced a bold new lineup of accessories designed to power, protect, and enhance the way people work, play, and connect. The new collection, debuting at CES 2026, includes advanced power banks, Qi2 25W wireless chargers, a wireless HDMI dongle for seamless content sharing, and a next gen charging case for the Nintendo Switch 2.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260104976028/en/
Gaming
Charging Case Pro for Nintendo Switch 2 (Model ENA003)
Engineered for the ultimate on-the-go gaming experience, the Pro case delivers power, protection, and portability in one premium package. A removable 10,000 mAh power bank delivers up to 30W fast charging and features an LCD screen to display remaining battery life. The Pro version builds on the standard model’s safe in‑case charging with a sleeker, integrated power bank design that adds even more convenience. Gamers can now recharge the power bank externally without opening the case, check battery levels at a glance, and enjoy uninterrupted play with the hinged power bank design that doubles as a tabletop stand. Additional features include a dedicated flap for organized game card storage, a hidden compartment for smart trackers such as AirTag and Tile, and rugged materials and heavy-duty zippers for long-term durability. Compact, stylish, and performance-driven, the Pro case delivers upgraded convenience and charging flexibility for players who demand more from their gear.
Price: $99.99 USD
Availability: Available now on belkin.com (select markets)
Power Banks
UltraCharge Pro Power Bank 10K w/ Magnetic Ring (Model BPD014)
Power up faster with a 10K power bank* featuring Qi2 25W wireless and 30W USB-C fast charging. Compact, TSA carry-on compliant, and pocket-ready, it keeps devices charged wherever the day goes. A built-in kickstand, digital display, and magnetic ring make it easy to stream, monitor charge status, and attach accessories on the go.
More features:
Price: $99.99 USD
Availability: February 2026 (select markets)
BoostCharge Slim Magnetic Power Bank with Stand (Models BPD011 and BPD016)
Slim and travel-ready, this power bank delivers up to 15W of wireless charging in an ultra-slim, pocket-friendly design. Each model delivers long lasting power – upwards of 25 hours** of extra battery life. A built-in kickstand makes hands-free viewing easy, while pass-through charging keeps devices powered without interruption.
More Features:
Price: $59.99-$84.99 USD
Availability: Q2 2026 (select markets)
UltraCharge Pro Laptop Power Bank 27K (Model BPB040)
A high-capacity, high-speed power solution built for power users, creators, and travelers, this power bank delivers enough output to fast-charge laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, and phones from a single portable source. With up to 240W total power and a 27,000 mAh battery*, it supports rapid charging for devices like a MacBook Pro 14, Nintendo Switch 2, and iPhone 17 – whether powering one device at max speed or multiple at once. A built-in 140W USB-C cable streamlines charging without extra cords, while a smart display shows battery percentage.
More features:
Price: $149.99 USD
Availability: March 2026 (select markets)
Wireless Chargers
UltraCharge Pro 2-in-1 Convertible Charger (Model WIZ043)
Designed for on-the-go use, this Qi2 25W Convertible 2-in-1 Wireless Charger delivers fast, efficient power for an iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously. A foldable, compact, travel-friendly design with precise magnetic alignment and thermal management makes charging easy and stable wherever the day leads. With a 45W USB-C power supply and 5 ft./1.5 m cable included, it’s built to keep devices powered at full speed on the road or at home.
More Features:
Price: $99.99 USD
Availability: March 2026 (select markets)
UltraCharge Modular Charging Dock (Model WIZ052)
Designed for maximum speed and versatility, this Qi2 25W modular charging dock delivers fast, efficient power to a phone, earbuds, and smartwatch simultaneously. The compact design makes it easy to pack and travel with, while magnetic alignment ensures devices snap into the optimal charging position every time. With a bring-your-own-puck (BYOP) smartwatch holder and universal Qi2 compatibility, this charger combines high performance with thoughtful, convenient design.
More Features:
Price: $64.99 USD
Availability: Q1 2026 (select markets)
Hubs and Adapters
ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter (Model AVC024)
Effortlessly cast and present from any USB-C device with the ConnectAir Wireless HDMI Display Adapter. This compact, plug-and-play adapter wirelessly mirrors or extends screens in 1080p at 60Hz, with no Wi-Fi, apps, or drivers required. Ideal for travel, classrooms, or conference rooms, it offers a 131 ft./40 m range, ultra-low latency, and a secure peer-to-peer connection for seamless, reliable sharing.
More Features:
Price: $149.99 USD
Availability: Q1 2026 (select markets)
Connect 8-Port Dual Display USB-C Hub (Model INC027)
Designed for modern hybrid work setups, the Belkin USB-C 8-in-1 MST Multiport Hub expands a single USB-C port into a full productivity workstation with support for dual 4K displays at 60Hz. The hub connects up to eight devices at once, including monitors, storage, Ethernet, and peripherals while delivering up to 100W power passthrough to keep a laptop charged during use. A built-in monitor privacy button instantly turns connected screens off with a single press, offering an added layer of on-demand security for shared or public environments. Compact and travel-ready, the hub combines performance, port density, and portability in a durable design.
More features:
Price: $99.99 USD
Availability: Q2 2026 (select markets)
Media Kit
Imagery and full press release are available to download HERE.
Disclaimers
*This product includes an internal battery offered in 5,000 mAh, 10,000 mAh, or 27,000 mAh capacities. Amount of discharge to user’s device is less and may vary depending on various conditions.
**Data based on internal lab testing. Actual results will vary depending on varying factors, including device age, model and usage environment, for individual users.
About Belkin
Belkin is a California-based accessories leader delivering award-winning power, protection, productivity, connectivity, and audio products over the last 40 years. Designed and engineered in Southern California and sold in more than 100 countries around the world, Belkin has maintained its steadfast focus on research and development, community, education, sustainability and most importantly, the people it serves. From our humble beginnings in a Southern California garage in 1983, Belkin has become a diverse, global technology company. We remain forever inspired by the planet we live on, and the connection between people and technology.
Belkin unveils new products at CES 2026
