Over the weekend, travel plans for thousands in the Caribbean were thrown into disarray following a series of US airstrikes targeting Venezuela. These military actions led to the capture of former dictator Nicolas Maduro, further complicating the situation.

In response to the operation, US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy made the decision to close off regional airspace on Saturday night. As of Sunday, flight services remained sluggish, leaving many travelers uncertain about their itineraries.

Among those affected was Derek Faktor, a dentist operating in New York and New Jersey. Faktor and his family found themselves “essentially trapped” on the island of Saint Kitts and Nevis, located east of Puerto Rico. They are unable to leave until January 15 due to the ongoing circumstances.

“Our infant daughter is a bit ill, and we are managing the best we can,” Faktor explained. “But United Airlines has no outbound flights until January 15th.” He expressed frustration over the lack of additional rescue flights, stating, “They have not sent any additional rescue flights for so many stranded people here; it’s not making any sense.”

“They have not sent any additional rescue flights for so many stranded people here, it’s not making any sense.”

Following Duffy’s orders, hundreds of 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.

Puerto Rico was among the hardest hit, with nearly 60% of all flights — more than 300 — to and from the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan canceled on Saturday.

Airlines are now scrambling to help their trapped passengers, with American, United and Delta Air Lines all scheduling additional flights on Sunday across the Caribbean.

Carriers have even weighed using larger planes, like ones used for Europe and Asia trips, to accommodate the weekend surge in demand as even new flights listed on Sunday morning sold out in a flash, CNBC reported.

The airlines have also waived change fees and fare differences for travelers affected by the closures.

Despite the accommodations, many of the stranded passengers fear they may be stuck in the Caribbean for days longer than they ever planned.

Lou Levine, a manager at a software company, said he was currently stuck in Puerto Rico with his wife and three kids after their return flight to Washington, DC, was canceled.

After speaking with a JetBlue agent and receiving no help, Levine jumped on social media like other customers and was able to get a return flight booked for next Saturday.

“I love it here,” Levine told the Associated Press of Puerto Rico. But we have dog-sitting and cat-sitting and car rental. It’s fine. It’s just really painful on the wallet.”

Other travelers have not been so lucky as they continue to search for answers on when they can return home.

“I don’t know what I’m doing right now,” Catalina Rodriguez, a veterinary student trapped in St. Kitts and Nevis, said in a video posted to TikTok.

Rodriguez, 34, said she was supposed to start her third semester of school at Florida’s Ross University School of Medicine on Monday, but now she and other classmates find themselves with little alternatives in a foreign country.

“We’re just waiting to see what’s going to happen,” she told Business Insider. “It’s a little stressful for sure.”

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.” 

With Post Wires