CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez claims an unmanned U.S. spy plane recently violated the South American country’s airspace and he’s ordered his military to shoot down such aircraft if it happens again.
Chavez claims the aircraft overflew a Venezuelan military base in the western state of Zulia after it took off from neighbouring Colombia.
The president didn’t elaborate, but he suggested the U.S. military was using the plane for espionage.
Speaking during his Sunday radio program, Chavez said he has ordered all such planes “to be shot down” in the future.
Chavez has accused Colombia of allowing the United States to use its military bases to prepare a possible invasion of Venezuela. Both Colombia and the U.S. have denied it.
U.S. officials did not comment immediately Sunday.
