US accuses EP-3 aircraft of being 'aggressively chased' by Venezuela's Su-30
(Baonghean.vn) - The Southern Command of the US Armed Forces announced that the Venezuelan armed forces' Su-30 aircraft "actively pursued" the US EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft.
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| Venezuela's Su-30MK2V. Photo: AP |
The incident occurred on July 19. The Pentagon stated that the Su-30 "posed a danger to the crew and aircraft" of the US.
Earlier, the Venezuelan Defense Ministry said that a US aircraft had violated the country's airspace. According to the ministry, the Venezuelan Air Force Command detected a plane flying from the northwest of the Caribbean Sea towards Maichetia, not far from the capital Caracas. Attempts to contact it were unsuccessful.
“The EP-3 was conducting a mission, recognized by multiple nations, in international airspace over the Caribbean Sea,” the US military said in a statement. “These actions demonstrate Russia’s irresponsible support for the illegitimate regime of President Nicholas Maduro and underscore Maduro’s reckless and irresponsible actions.”
Venezuela is the largest importer of Russian weapons in Latin America. Russia had completed most of its arms contracts before political unrest broke out in the Latin American country.
Anti-government protests are taking place in Venezuela, which are gradually turning into riots. Amid the political crisis, opposition leader Juan Guaido has declared himself interim president. Head of state Nicholas Maduro has declared a coup attempt.
