Leonardo DiCaprio Misses Palm Springs Film Awards Due to Venezuelan Tensions

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio was absent from the Palm Springs International Film Awards despite being listed as a recipient, due to the effects of military tensions in Venezuela affecting air travel in the Caribbean.

DiCaprio, 51, was set to receive the "Desert Palm" award for his performance in the film "One Battle After Another," but travel restrictions prevented him from attending at the last minute.

Festival organizers stated that the American star was vacationing on the island of St. Barts with friends when he became stranded following the suspension of flights due to U.S. military actions against locations in Venezuela under President Donald Trump's administration.

According to People magazine, a spokesperson for the festival remarked:
"We were looking forward to having Leonardo DiCaprio with us in person, but unforeseen circumstances made that impossible. Nevertheless, his award remains a significant honor for the festival."

DiCaprio addressed his absence with a pre-recorded acceptance speech that was played during the event, while Teyana Taylor and Chase Infinity presented the award on his behalf. Festival director Nachatar Singh Chandi praised DiCaprio's career, emphasizing that his latest performance solidifies his status as one of the most influential and profound actors in contemporary cinema.

These developments come amid escalating U.S. military actions targeting the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and several military bases, as part of efforts to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro's regime, leading to the cancellation and rerouting of hundreds of flights to and from Caribbean nations and islands.