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US 'violated Venezuelan airspace' | US 'violated Venezuelan airspace' |
(20 minutes later) | |
Venezuela has denounced an alleged violation of its airspace by an American military aircraft. | Venezuela has denounced an alleged violation of its airspace by an American military aircraft. |
Defence Minister Gustavo Rangel said the jet had been tracked by country's air defences over the Venezuelan-owned island of Orchila on Saturday. | Defence Minister Gustavo Rangel said the jet had been tracked by country's air defences over the Venezuelan-owned island of Orchila on Saturday. |
He said the US ambassador would be summoned to provide an explanation. | He said the US ambassador would be summoned to provide an explanation. |
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a fierce critic of Washington, has in the past accused the US administration of destabilising his country. | Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a fierce critic of Washington, has in the past accused the US administration of destabilising his country. |
Mr Rangel told a news conference that the US aircraft "practically flew over" Orchila and another Venezuelan island before turning back. | |
"We ordered the airplane to identify itself," he added. | |
"We have recorded proof of the conversation between ground control in Venezuela and the aircraft pilot." | |
The minister said the incident was "the latest step in a series of provocations" by the US. | |
Asked about the accusation, US embassy spokeswoman Robin Holzhauer told the Associated Press news agency: "We're looking into any possible accidental incursion of Venezuelan airspace." | Asked about the accusation, US embassy spokeswoman Robin Holzhauer told the Associated Press news agency: "We're looking into any possible accidental incursion of Venezuelan airspace." |