A Canadian influencer is urgently seeking a way to return home from a Caribbean paradise as her wedding day approaches. This plea comes after the U.S. military strike on Venezuela led to widespread flight cancellations.
President Donald Trump announced on Friday night that a significant operation had occurred, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by U.S. forces.
The aftermath of the strike caused Venezuelan airspace to be deserted on Saturday, prompting major airlines to cancel nearly 900 flights across the eastern Caribbean region.
One stranded vacationer, Syd Wingold, an influencer with more than one million followers, desperately pleaded with pilots in St Barts to fly her back to Toronto in a string of Instagram stories.
The soon-to-be bride even resorted to humor, suggesting she would willingly “dress as your captain” to secure a flight.
In a social media post, Wingold appealed, “Is anyone currently in St. Barts or St. Martin with a plane heading back to North America who could accommodate me? I can wear a costume and promise to be extremely respectful.”
She added in a subsequent post, “If you have a plane, please get in touch. I’m more than willing to dress as your captain.”
In a photo of Wingold and her friend lounging on an outdoor couch, she revealed that their flight home had been canceled, with the next available plane not leaving until Friday – an entire week away.
One stranded vacationer, Syd Wingold, an influencer with more than one million followers, desperately pleaded with pilots in St Barts to fly her back to Toronto in a string of Instagram stories
The ‘large-scale’ operation on Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro (pictured) and his wife Cilia Flores forced major airlines to cancel nearly 900 flights across the eastern Caribbean
She also recalled how the situation felt eerily like ‘being stranded in Las Vegas during my bachelorette,’ an adventure she had documented on social media back in November.
Hours later, Wingold posted another story, striking a pose before two stationary cranes in a remote field – a stark reminder that she was still stranded and no pilot had come to her rescue.
‘I am considering alternative modes of transportation at this time,’ she wrote.
‘These cranes seem reliable based on size and structural integrity,’ she added. ‘There is a chance they could lift me to Toronto.’
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a social media post responding to the travel chaos that ‘the FAA restricted the airspace in the Caribbean and Venezuela to ensure the safety of the flying public.’
Although Duffy later said the restrictions would lift at midnight EST on Saturday, allowing airlines to resume normal operations, it is expected to be some time before schedules normalize.
Whether Wingold finally made it home after Duffy’s announcement remains unknown, but she shared one final update, cocktail menu in hand, with the option ‘Pimp My Pamp’ circled in red.
‘While my flight options remain unclear, my drink order has never been more certain,’ she wrote, clearly referencing the grapefruit-flavored cocktail.
Join the debate
Should influencers and celebrities get special treatment during travel crises, or is everyone equal?
Wingold revealed that her flight home from St. Barts had been canceled, with the next available plane not leaving until Friday
Even Leonardo DiCaprio wasn’t spared: the US airstrikes on Venezuela forced him to miss the Palm Springs International Film Festival as traffic snarled from the restrictions.
The 51-year-old movie star was glimpsed on New Year’s Eve relaxing on Jeff Bezos’ yacht in the Caribbean Sea, just off St. Barts.
But he was scheduled to receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award at the film festival for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, a dark comedy about leftist militants.
An insider told the Daily Mail that, at the ceremony itself, it was announced DiCaprio would be absent because of restricted airspace.
‘It was, however, a wonderful moment in the room,’ the source shared exclusively with the Daily Mail. ‘A beautiful tribute from his co-stars and an amazing reel.’
DiCaprio accepted the award via video and his speech was a ‘hit,’ the insider said, adding that he received applause both for the honor and for his remarks.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival also confirmed DiCaprio’s physical absence from the ceremony in a statement provided to Deadline.
‘Leonardo DiCaprio is unable to join us in person tonight due to unexpected travel disruptions and restricted airspace,’ the organization stated.
Wingold shared one final update on Instagram with cocktail menu in hand, leaving viewers wondering whether she secured a flight
Leonardo DiCaprio was also forced to skip the Palm Springs International Film Festival by travel restrictions enacted after the Venezuela strikes, so he accepted his award via video (pictured)
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the restrictions would lift at midnight EST on Saturday, allowing airlines to resume normal operations
‘While we will miss celebrating with him in person, we are honored to recognize his exceptional work and lasting contributions to cinema,’ they continued.
‘His talent and dedication to the craft continue to inspire, and we are delighted to celebrate him with the Desert Palm Achievement Award this evening.’
Although DiCaprio was unable to physically attend, his One Battle After Another co-stars Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti took the stage there Saturday to pay homage to him, and they accepted his trophy on his behalf.
