“The Bolivarian Armed Forces condemn the violation of Venezuelan airspace by a heavy military transport aircraft type C-17 belonging to the United States Air Force, on the evening of Thursday, July 22, from 20:47 to 20:50, laying a route of about 14 nautical miles along the westernmost part Serra de Perija in the state of Zulia, ”the statement explains.
In a document published by the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense, it is explained that “this blatant provocation took place in the context of joint military exercises conducted by the Colombian Air Force and the army in the departments of Antioquia and Cundinamarca, respectively, during which American strategic reconnaissance fighters F-16 and RC135 are also present.”
“It is noteworthy that so far, in 2021, US aircraft have violated the Maiketia Flight Information Area (north of Caracas) 21 times, which is a serious violation of international aviation standards,” he emphasizes in the document.
<< We reaffirm to the international community and multilateral organizations that the presence of American bases in Colombia is a constant threat and a terrible mechanism of intervention that significantly affects stability in the Caribbean and Latin America, where, thanks to the efforts of the supporters of integration, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Hugo Chavez, we are working to turn it into a Zone of Peace, ”he explains.
Venezuela also states that it is aware that within the framework of the above-mentioned exercises “the tasks of recognition are carried out in the geographical space of Venezuela, therefore I do not exclude other possible hostile actions against our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“In this sense, Nicolas Maduro Moros, Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Commander-in-Chief of the Bolivarian Armed Forces, has given clear orders to remain vigilant and vigorously respond to any act of aggression.”
The communiqué, signed by the Minister of Defense of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, ends with the words: “Chavez is alive, the Fatherland continues! Independence and socialist fatherland, we will live and we will win! ” Independence or nothing! Always loyal, never traitors! “The sun of Venezuela rises over [território] Esequibo! “.
According to Colombian press reports, six US F16 aircraft recently landed in Colombia to participate in a joint exercise by US and Colombian pilots to strengthen international cooperation between the two countries.
The exercise is also intended to train crews in the unification of guidelines and criteria related to the methods, tactics and procedures of military operations.
Also, according to Colombian press reports, US military personnel are present in areas with the highest presence of illegal drug crops, including Nariño, Cauca and El Catatumbo, in Norte de Santander, near the Colombian-Venezuelan border.
Joint military exercises of Colombia and the United States have been periodically held since 2014.
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