As the fog of war clears over the Caribbean, one man has been left high and dry: Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Oscar-winning actor failed to make an appearance at an awards show in Palm Springs, California, as a result of the chaos that has descended upon the region following President Donald Trump’s invasion of Venezuela and abduction of President Nicolás Maduro.
Leonardo DiCaprio in “One Battle After Another.” Warner Bros. Pictures
DiCaprio was due to receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award at the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Saturday night, in recognition of his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2025 movie One Battle After Another.
However, the Hollywood icon was celebrating the new year on the Caribbean island of St. Barts, roughly 600 miles northeast of Caracas, when U.S. special forces illegally kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the Caribbean on Saturday in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration airspace closures. American commercial air activity is paused until 1 p.m. on Sunday due to security concerns.
Burning ruins in Caracas, Venezuela. Jesus Vargas/Jesus Vargas/Getty Images
As a result of airspace closures, the 51-year-old actor and producer was forced to send in a recorded acceptance speech instead of attending in person. DiCaprio’s co-stars, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti, paid tribute to him on stage in his absence.
“I’m stuck on the East Coast. I wish I was there to celebrate with all of you. I’m truly grateful to be a part of it, even from the distance,” DiCaprio said in his speech.
Leonardo DiCaprio accepts the Desert Palm Achievement Award via a recorded message on Jan. 3, 2026. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Palm Springs In
A festival spokesperson told Variety that the actor was unable to join due to the airspace restrictions.
“While we will miss celebrating with him in person, we are honored to recognize his exceptional work and lasting contributions to cinema,” the spokesperson said. “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.”
DiCaprio’s co-stars, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti at the 37th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards in Palm Springs, California. Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
Departures were completely halted at Palm Springs International on Saturday afternoon, with only a few arrivals landing and many diversions. DiCaprio is the only award winner to miss the event so far.
Stars that were meant to be joined by DiCaprio on the awards stage include Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan, and Kate Hudson.
“Sinners” star Michael B. Jordan poses with the Icon Award in the press room during the 37th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards on Jan. 3, 2026. Kevin Winter/Getty Images
The Revenant star was photographed on a yacht on Jan. 1 near St. Barts alongside his girlfriend, 27-year-old model Vittoria Ceretti, and retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady. He was also joined by his friends and family, including Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez, whose wedding he attended in Venice last June.
This latest inconvenience is unlikely to help the already-strained relationship DiCaprio has with President Donald Trump. DiCaprio, a passionate climate activist, endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, saying that “we cannot afford to go backwards.”
“We need leaders who are equipped to enact climate policies that will help save the planet, and that’s why I’m casting my vote for @KamalaHarris on November 5,” DiCaprio wrote on Instagram in October 2024.
