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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| US 'violated Venezuela airspace' | US 'violated Venezuela airspace' |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Venezuela has demanded an explanation from Washington after a US military aircraft violated its airspace. | Venezuela has demanded an explanation from Washington after a US military aircraft violated its airspace. |
| The US ambassador in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, has been summoned to explain Saturday's event. | The US ambassador in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, has been summoned to explain Saturday's event. |
| US officials said a naval plane on a counter-narcotics mission had "navigational problems" that led it to briefly enter Venezuelan airspace. | |
| Tension has been rising in the region with both the US and Colombia accusing Caracas of financing Colombian rebels. | Tension has been rising in the region with both the US and Colombia accusing Caracas of financing Colombian rebels. |
| 'Series of provocations' | 'Series of provocations' |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | "This is just the latest step in a series of provocations," he said. |
| US officials admitted the incident later on Monday. | US officials admitted the incident later on Monday. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "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. | "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 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). |
| Colombia says various documents prove that Venezuela has funded the rebels. Mr Chavez insists he has never provided any support. | Colombia says various documents prove that Venezuela has funded the rebels. Mr Chavez insists he has never provided any support. |
| The US violation of Venezuelan airspace comes two days after a similar claim was made against Colombia. | The US violation of Venezuelan airspace comes 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 it clearly sees as threats. | Our correspondent says the latest row will further increase tension between Venezuela and two countries it clearly sees as threats. |