From February 16 to 18, Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, Turkmenistan’s former president and current Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Turkmenistan’s highest representative body, visited the U.S. state of Florida.
Turkmen state media did not disclose details of the visit’s program, limiting coverage to a brief report on the trip.
Berdymuhamedov arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport aboard a government Boeing 777 (tail number EZ-A780). Local journalists and aviation observers reported possible damage to the aircraft’s horizontal stabilizer. The green-and-white liveried airliner remained parked at the airport for several days.
Aaron Rosen, president of the World Affairs Council of Miami, noted that the visit coincided with renewed U.S. interest in Central Asia. According to Rosen, the region is strategically significant due to its energy resources, geopolitical location, and security considerations. He also referred to recent statements by Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry emphasizing the importance of dialogue with Washington to develop constructive relations.
U.S. media reported that Berdymuhamedov’s trip overlapped with President Donald Trump’s weekend stay at his Mar-a-Lago residence, located approximately a 45-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Local 10 News footage showed heightened security measures and a VIP passenger boarding the Boeing 777 prior to departure. The aircraft left Florida several days later. Separately, a government Boeing 737 (tail number EZ-A700) arrived from Ashgabat, refueling in Glasgow before continuing to Florida.
After a brief stop in Florida, the Boeing 737 returned to Turkmenistan, making an additional refueling stop in Munich.
Turkmen authorities have not officially disclosed the purpose of Berdymuhamedov’s visit. Turkmenistan’s current president is Serdar Berdymuhamedov, Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov’s son.
