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US 'violated Venezuelan airspace' US 'violated Venezuela airspace'
(about 3 hours later)
Venezuela has denounced an alleged violation of its airspace by an American military aircraft. Venezuela has demanded an explanation from Washington after a US military aircraft violated its airspace.
Defence Minister Gustavo Rangel said the jet had been tracked by country's air defences over the Venezuelan-owned island of La Orchila on Saturday. The US ambassador in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, has been summoned to explain Saturday's event.
He said the US ambassador would be summoned to provide an explanation. US officials admitted a naval plane on a counter-narcotics mission had "navigational problems" that led it to briefly enter Venezuelan airspace.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a fierce critic of Washington, has in the past accused the US administration of destabilising his country. Tension has been rising in the region with both the US and Colombia accusing Caracas of financing Colombian rebels.
Mr Rangel told a news conference that the US aircraft "practically flew over" La Orchila - where Venezuela has a military base - and another island before turning back. 'Series of provocations'
"We ordered the airplane to identify itself," he added. 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.
"We have recorded proof of the conversation between ground control in Venezuela and the aircraft pilot." 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.
The pilot is reported to have said he was on a training exercise and was unaware that he had entered Venezuelan airspace. "This is just the latest step in a series of provocations," he said.
Incursion claim US officials admitted the incident later on Monday.
Asked about the allegation, US embassy spokeswoman Robin Holzhauer told the Associated Press news agency: "We're looking into any possible accidental incursion of Venezuelan airspace." "Support of Venezuelan air traffic control was greatly appreciated as they rendered assistance in guiding the US aircraft to international airspace, the US Joint Interagency Task Force South said in a statement.
Mr Rangel said the incident was "the latest step in a series of provocations" by the US. "A US S-3 aircraft conducting counter-drugs operations lost navigational situational awareness causing it to fly into Venezuelan airspace off the mainland coast," the statement added.
The Florida-based task force conducts counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean. The S-3 is a reconnaissance aircraft.
The BBC's James Ingham in Caracas says it comes at a time of increased tension in the region, with both the US and Colombia accusing Venezuela of financing the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).The BBC's James Ingham in Caracas says it comes at a time of increased tension in the region, with both the US and Colombia accusing Venezuela of financing the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
Last week Interpol confirmed that computer evidence found by Colombian soldiers during a raid on a Farc camp showed no sign of tampering. Colombia says various documents prove that Venezuela has funded the rebels. Mr Chavez insists he has never provided any support.
Colombia says various documents proved that Venezuela has funded the rebels. Mr Chavez insists he never provided any support. The US violation of Venezuelan airspace comes two days after a similar claim was made against Colombia.
Venezuela's accusations against the US come two days after a similar claim was made against Colombia.
The Bogota government denied that its troops had crossed into Venezuelan territory on Friday.The Bogota government denied that its troops had crossed into Venezuelan territory on Friday.
Our correspondent says the latest row will further increase tension between Venezuela and two countries which it clearly sees as enemies. Our correspondent says the latest row will further increase tension between Venezuela and two countries it clearly sees as enemies.