Leonardo DiCaprio was forced to miss the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on January 3, 2026, after President Trump’s military operation in Venezuela triggered widespread Caribbean airspace closures.
The 51-year-old actor, stranded in St. Barthélemy, sent a pre-recorded acceptance speech for his Desert Palm Achievement Award for One Battle After Another.
Operation Absolute Resolve Captures Maduro
At 2:01 a.m. Venezuelan time on January 3, U.S. Delta Force commandos executed a precision raid on President Nicolás Maduro’s fortified compound in Caracas. T
he operation involved over 150 military aircraft and resulted in Maduro’s capture within five minutes. Trump announced the successful mission hours later, posting a photo of the blindfolded leader aboard USS Iwo Jima.
Massive Flight Disruptions Across Region
The Federal Aviation Administration immediately prohibited U.S. aircraft from operating within Venezuelan airspace and extensive Caribbean areas. Approximately 1,000 flights were canceled on January 3 alone, affecting Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Aruba, and numerous other islands.
San Juan’s airport experienced 200 cancellations, representing 58% of scheduled flights that day.
Celebrity Exodus Turns Chaotic
DiCaprio wasn’t alone in facing travel chaos. Queen Latifah, Mike Tyson, Natalie Portman, and Jeff Bezos were among celebrities stranded across Caribbean luxury destinations. Comedian Tom Segura documented his ordeal, lamenting “Every day is just a mystery.
Will we get home?” Hotels were overwhelmed as thousands sought extended accommodations while awaiting flight availability.
DiCaprio Makes Critics Choice Awards
After airspace restrictions lifted just after midnight on January 4, DiCaprio escaped the Caribbean in time for the Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica.
Host Chelsea Handler joked: “Leo almost didn’t make it tonight because he was trapped on a boat in St. Barts! It was just like the Titanic but worse because Jeff Bezos was there”.
Film Dominates Awards Season
One Battle After Another swept the Critics Choice Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The film leads Golden Globe nominations with nine nods and has emerged as a major Oscar contender. The National Society of Film Critics also awarded it Best Picture on January 3.
Trump Invokes “Donroe Doctrine”
Trump justified the Venezuela operation by invoking an expanded interpretation of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, which he rebranded the “Donroe Doctrine.”
At his January 3 press conference, he stated: “Under our new national security strategy, American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again.” The doctrine asserts U.S. sphere of influence throughout the Americas.
Oil Resources Drive Intervention
Trump mentioned oil approximately 20 times during his announcement, making resource control the operation’s clear motivation.
He stated U.S. companies would “go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced the U.S. would control Venezuelan oil sales “indefinitely”.
Constitutional Controversy Erupts
The administration characterized the operation as a law enforcement action against a “narcoterrorist,” invoking inherent presidential authority.
However, constitutional scholars at the Brennan Center argued the operation was unconstitutional, noting Trump neither consulted nor sought Congressional authorization despite months of planning. Leading up to the attack, administration officials had explicitly told lawmakers land-based military actions would require Congressional approval.
International Condemnation Follows
Brazil’s President Lula condemned the strikes as “a very serious affront to the sovereignty of Venezuela and an extremely dangerous precedent.” China’s Foreign Ministry stated it was “deeply shocked and strongly condemns the U.S. for recklessly using force against a sovereign state.”
Mexico, Spain, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay issued joint statements rejecting the unilateral military action.
Ordinary Travelers Face Week-Long Delays
ABC Philadelphia anchor Nydia Han reported being stuck in Vieques after her flight was canceled, told she couldn’t fly home until Friday—nearly a week later.
Julie Hurwitz, traveling with twelve family members in St. John, received a 3 a.m. cancellation notification with minimal information. Airlines scrambled to add capacity, with American adding 7,000 seats through 43 extra flights.
Economic Catastrophe Threatens Venezuela
Economist Francisco Rodríguez warned that if the oil blockade persists, Venezuela faces catastrophic consequences. “We would witness a massive recession,” he stated.
“The outcome would either be famine or widespread migration.” Oil exports contribute roughly 40% of Venezuela’s public revenue. PDVSA, the country’s largest employer, could be forced to lay off tens of thousands of workers.
DiCaprio’s Personal Frustration
Sources close to DiCaprio told RadarOnline the actor was “furious” and “deeply frustrated” by the disruption. One insider explained: “He hates Trump for prioritizing fossil fuel expansion and embracing the ‘drill baby drill’ mantra.”
The incident reportedly “sharpened DiCaprio’s opposition to Trump’s energy agenda,” believing the president’s policies “destabilized regions” for short-term political gain.
Palm Springs Festival Proceeds Without Star
The Palm Springs International Film Festival released a statement: “Leonardo DiCaprio is unable to join us in person tonight due to unexpected travel disruptions and restricted airspace.
While we will miss celebrating with him in person, we are honored to recognize his exceptional work.” Co-stars Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti accepted the Desert Palm Achievement Award on his behalf.
Geopolitical Implications Unfold
The operation represents the most assertive U.S. regime change action since the 2003 Iraq invasion. Trump’s hints at applying the doctrine to Colombia and other nations suggest broader interventionist ambitions.
With Maduro now in U.S. custody and Venezuela’s interim government testing American resolve, the long-term consequences—diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian—continue unfolding across the hemisphere and beyond.
Sources:
“Leonardo DiCaprio Will Miss Palm Springs International Film Awards Due to Trump Raid of Venezuela.” People Magazine, January 3, 2026.
“Inside ‘Operation Absolute Resolve,’ the U.S. Effort to Capture Maduro.” The New York Times, January 3, 2026.
“How Caribbean Flights Have Been Impacted By Venezuela Airspace Closures.” Condé Nast Traveler, January 5, 2026.
“Global reaction to U.S. strikes on Venezuela includes condemnation.” CBS News, January 4, 2026.
“Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another Takes Top Prize at Critics Choice Awards.” Yahoo Entertainment, January 6, 2026.
“White House says U.S. will control Venezuelan oil industry indefinitely.” PBS NewsHour, January 7, 2026.