MONTREAL – Canadians are rethinking plans to visit parts of the Caribbean in the wake of military action and threats from the United States.
Travel agencies say some clients are steering clear of Aruba and Curaçao, two islands off the coast of Venezuela, where the U.S. launched a strike and captured its president about two weeks ago.
“There’s definitely some concern,” said Chris Lynes, managing director at Flight Centre Travel Group Canada.
“We’re seeing people change destinations and focus on Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican locations.”
Some travellers have put their Caribbean trips on hold or cancelled them outright, with the wariness now extending to Cuba, which U.S. President Donald Trump has also threatened.
Sal Lato, who owns the Marlin Travel agency franchise, said several clients last week put their visits to the island on hold amid anxiety about travelling to the region.
Social media travel groups abound with questions over the safety or ease of vacationing near Venezuela or in a Cuba plagued by blackouts and shortages of food, fuel and medication. Many fear the situation could deteriorate, given the latter country’s reliance on Venezuelan oil — a lifeline that was cut off by Trump about a month ago.
“I just cancelled my tickets and I am looking for an alternate destination,” read one post on Facebook’s Curaçao Travel Tips page.
“The conflict and uncertainty is a little too close for my comfort. So disappointing.”
Janet Radley, who works at Toronto’s St. Clair Travel Agency, said she is warning sun seekers about the risks of a Cuba getaway and cautioning against travel to Aruba, Curaçao and neighbouring Bonaire.
“People could see some of the helicopters from the beach in Curaçao. That would be a bit disturbing,” she said of the U.S. strike against Venezuela earlier this month.
The Jan. 3 attack marked the culmination of months of mounting pressure by the White House, which saw the interception of oil tankers off its coast and strikes on alleged drug boats.
However, WestJet, Air Transat and Porter Airlines say it’s business as usual. Air Canada issued a temporary travel advisory for Venezuela and the surrounding regions allowing for changes to flights into 17 airports.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2026.
