When oil exploitation began in 1928 Caripito received an important boost to its urban development from the arrival of migrant labor, particularly from the Caribbean islands.

[1] The establishment of the Harbor Master's Office, independent from that of Güiria, as well as the development of modern health services, hotels, power plants, transport links, military garrison, schools, an airport, and other civic amenities accelerated the development of the city, drawing migrant families from the states of Sucre and Nueva Esparta as well as the United States and the Caribbean.

In 1935 a Caripito terminal was opened on the San Juan River where Pan Am seaplanes could arrive from Central America and the Caribbean.

In 1936 Caripito International Airport was selected by Amelia Earhart as the second stop on her trip around the world, spending the night at the Standard Oil Company facilities.

The event was widely publicized in the world press and the company provided logistical support to continue the flight through South America.