US Southern Command reported that a Venezuelan Jet “aggressively shadowed” a US Navy EP-3 aircraft. Venezuela claims it flew over Venezuela’s air space.

The Venezuelan jet was a Russian made SU-30 flanker jet, which shows that Russia is still propping up the Maduro government. Senator Marco Rubio commented that “Venezuela only has 3 jets that can fly. If they ever harmed any US aircraft, they would have zero.” Zzzzing.

The incident occurred over the Caribbean in international airspace, according to SOUTHCOM. They released the following statement with two videos of the encounter:

#Venezuela SU-30 Flanker “aggressively shadowed” a U.S. EP-3 aircraft at an unsafe distance July 19, jeopardizing the crew & aircraft. The EP-3 was performing a multi-nationally recognized & approved mission in international airspace over #CaribbeanSea. This action demonstrates #Russia’s irresponsible military support to Maduro’s illegitimate regime & underscores Maduro’s recklessness & irresponsible behavior, which undermines int’l rule of law & efforts to counter illicit trafficking. Pics & vids (dvidshub)

 

For Venezuela’s part, they claim the EP-3 aircraft violated their airspace.

ALERT | Aerospace Defense System CODAI detected and intercepted US aircraft. EP-3E intelligence and electronic radio exploration in our Maiquetia flight information region, violating International Air Treaties in clear provocation to the RBV. #DialogoAvanza.

The aircraft EP-3E ARIES II is a four-engine, low-wing aircraft, intelligence and electronic warfare, which uses state-of-the-art equipment to enter and interfere with communications systems.

So who should we believe? My money is on SOUTHCOM, the United States Southern Command.

Cross-Posted with Conservative Firing Line