CARACAS, Aug 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela and the tiny Dutch island of Aruba are set to resume flight connections for the first time since 2019, Aruban authorities said Friday.

The overseas territory of the Netherlands is one of three Caribbean islands dubbed the ABC -- Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

Venezuela's then-leader Nicolas Maduro had banned all sea and air links with the archipelago when the opposition attempted to bring US humanitarian aid into the crisis-hit country via the islands.

Maduro, who has since been ousted by US forces, viewed the move as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.

Flight connections will resume from Saturday, Aruba's Transport Minister Wendrick Cicilia announced.

"In this first phase, the air border will be opened to commercial flights, which will be allowed to operate between Aruba and Venezuela," he said.

Connections by sea had resumed several months after the dispute in 2019.