US violated Venezuelan airspace
Source: BBC, 20-05-2008
Venezuela denounces what it says was a violation of its airspace by a US military aircraft at the weekend.
US officials admitted a naval plane on a counter-narcotics mission had "navigational problems" that led it to briefly enter Venezuelan airspace.
Venezuelan Defence Minister Gustavo Rangel said the US jet had been tracked by his country's air defences over the Venezuelan-owned island of La Orchila on Saturday.
Mr Rangel told a news conference that the US aircraft "practically flew over" La Orchila - where Venezuela has a military base and President Hugo Chavez has a residence - and another island before turning back.
"This is just the latest step in a series of provocations," he said.
US officials admitted the incident later on Monday.
Venezuela denounces what it says was a violation of its airspace by a US military aircraft at the weekend.
US officials admitted a naval plane on a counter-narcotics mission had "navigational problems" that led it to briefly enter Venezuelan airspace.
Venezuelan Defence Minister Gustavo Rangel said the US jet had been tracked by his country's air defences over the Venezuelan-owned island of La Orchila on Saturday.
Mr Rangel told a news conference that the US aircraft "practically flew over" La Orchila - where Venezuela has a military base and President Hugo Chavez has a residence - and another island before turning back.
"This is just the latest step in a series of provocations," he said.
US officials admitted the incident later on Monday.
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