Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC May 19, 2008 Question Taken at 05-19-08 Daily Press Briefing Venezuela: Alleged Violation of Venezuelan Airspace (Taken Question)Question: What information do we have about an alleged violation of Venezuelan airspace by a U.S. aircraft? Has our Ambassador been summoned?
Answer: We understand that a U.S. military aircraft based in Curacao may have strayed inadvertently into Venezuelan airspace on May 17. While conducting a counternarcotics mission in international airspace, the pilot realized that a navigation error had occurred. He contacted a Venezuelan tower to report the error, stating that he would immediately return to international airspace. The exchange was polite and professional. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Maduro announced in a televised interview today that he would ask to see Ambassador Duddy on May 20. However, our Embassy in Caracas has received no diplomatic communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2008/401 |