- A Pallas Aviation LM-100J Super Hercules landed in Caracas on Jan. 10 as a U.S. State Department team arrived to assess a potential phased reopening of the U.S. embassy.
- The aircraft departed shortly after its stop as U.S. officials evaluated security and operational requirements for restoring a diplomatic presence in Venezuela.
A CIA-linked LM-100J Super Hercules operated by Pallas Aviation landed in Caracas on January 10. The aircraft, using callsign WDE08 and tail number N96MG, departed shortly afterward and returned to Puerto Rico.
The aircraft belongs to Pallas Aviation, described as a private company that performs “specialized work worldwide that most others refuse.” The company operates LM-100J Super Hercules cargo aircraft, the commercial variant of the C-130J used by U.S. forces for heavy airlift and rapid logistics.
The landing took place amid a U.S. State Department team that traveled to Venezuela for the first time since Nicolas Maduro was removed from power. As noted by a U.S. official, diplomatic and security personnel from the Venezuela Affairs Unit — normally based in Colombia — arrived in the Venezuelan capital “to conduct an initial assessment for a potential phased resumption of operations.” Acting U.S. Ambassador to Colombia John McNamara joined the delegation.
The official said the visit reflects the administration’s intent to restore U.S. diplomatic activity in a country that President Donald Trump recently said the United States is going to “run.” Washington withdrew its embassy staff in 2019 and shifted Venezuela-related operations to Bogotá, where U.S. diplomats have since worked from the Venezuela Affairs Unit.
The LM-100J’s brief appearance in Caracas drew public attention due to its timing and the aircraft’s operator. Pallas Aviation, which conducts high-demand charter missions for U.S. government-linked customers, has been associated with sensitive global logistics flights. The LM-100J itself is capable of operating from austere runways and delivering cargo with minimal ground support, allowing access to locations that lack standard aviation infrastructure.
As noted by observers, the aircraft departed after completing its stop and returned to Puerto Rico, where Pallas Aviation maintains operations supporting U.S. government missions in the region.
The U.S. delegation’s arrival follows a statement from the State Department outlining the next steps toward re-establishing a diplomatic footprint in Venezuela. The visit aims to evaluate security requirements, facilities, and staffing needs for a phased reopening of the embassy in Caracas. The assessment also includes coordination with local authorities and partner organizations.
The U.S. embassy in Caracas has remained closed since 2019, when conditions in the country prompted Washington to evacuate its diplomats. Since then, U.S. engagement regarding Venezuela has been managed from Colombia. The potential return of U.S. personnel to Caracas would mark the first physical step toward reintroducing American diplomatic infrastructure inside the country.
The short stop by the CIA-linked aircraft adds to the broader context of increasing U.S. engagement around Caracas and ongoing discussions about reopening formal diplomatic channels.