Venezuela leader states US intelligence aircraft were refueling in nation’s airspace

(MENAFN) Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez stated on Sunday that the United States has been carrying out intelligence flights in the Caribbean and areas near Venezuela.

“Every day in September, and last night, intelligence aircraft and tankers were refueling in the air. Intelligence and reconnaissance operations against Venezuela tripled in August,” Padrino Lopez said during an appearance on Venezuela’s state channel VTV.

He added, "What information they gather is their own business. We are conducting our own internal intelligence processes. We are prepared and can intervene in each flight individually or collectively; we know what they are doing. We know that their deployments in the Caribbean carry the intention of provoking war."

Padrino Lopez stressed that the Venezuelan Armed Forces are ready for any scenario and expressed concern about potential air accidents caused by the US not sharing its flight plans. Referring to the nationwide militia training programs, he said that under orders from President Nicolas Maduro, training would continue every Saturday to ensure militias remain prepared against potential US aggression.

Previously, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the military to be used more extensively to combat Latin American drug cartels on the ground. In line with this policy, the US deployed the Navy destroyers USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson near Venezuela’s coast in late August.

In response, Maduro announced the mobilization of 4.5 million militiamen across the country, stating that Venezuela was ready to repel any attack, according to reports.

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