Posted on 05/19/2008 7:52:47 PM PDT by blam
US 'violated Venezuela airspace'
The US airplane is part of a counter-narcotics taskforce in the Caribbean
The US ambassador in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, has been summoned to explain Saturday's event.
US officials admitted 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.
'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.
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.
"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.
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).
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 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 enemies.
Hugo should call somebody who cares.
I am deeply disappointed that our aircraft had the audacity to fly over Chavez’s territory without having the decency to pay him the respect of a 2000 pound ordinance.
FARC Chavez and Defence Minister Gustavo Rangel.
Take the oil.
“I’ve just been violated!”
Spying on you is the precedence to boxing you in. Our apologies. Further “apologies” to follow...
Next time, don’t be rude to Hugo ... drop a gift.
“Where’s the baby’s room?” -Sam Kinison
Hoover...
Don’t mind us. We’re just passing through and taking a few pictures.
And I've got a great old bridge in Brooklin for sale - make you a real good deal!
Who knows the motive, but the S-3 fer sure wasn't "lost".
Well, if we are going to violate their airspace anyway, send something with teeth. (Although the S-3 can carry missiles and thus presumably bombs as well, it's not, AFAIK, equipped for precision bombing that would allow putting a 500 lb bomb in Hugo's left ear.
My thought as well. ASW aircraft needs to know where it is, how else could it prosecute targets ID'd by other assets? Even if the GPS is down.
Quit the pussyfooting about, and stop ALL export of Venezuelan oil by sea. Complete export blockade. Watch the rats squeal, and then ask Chavez how he likes being cut off.
I’ll bet there would be a putsch within a month, with the socialists on the short end of the stick for a change.
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