The Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) seizes an aircraft. Photo: File photo.
The Strategic Operational Commander of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB), Maj. Gen. Domingo Hernández Lárez, reported that in the full exercise of national sovereignty, an aircraft that entered the nation’s airspace illicitly and surreptitiously—with its transponder off and without authorization—was intercepted and immobilized.
On social media, Hernández Lárez explained that, under the regional air interoperability treaty among Latin American and Caribbean countries, the military confirmed the aircraft originated from the Caribbean islands and had no flight plan as it headed toward southern Venezuela.
Once detected and declared hostile, the Cessna 310, registered as XB-RED, landed on an unauthorized border runway in Apure state. The Venezuelan Air Force immediately intercepted and disabled it in accordance with the Security and Defense Law. The XB registration prefix is assigned to Mexico.
He then stated: “Venezuela is a land of peace! We will not allow the violation of our national sovereignty. We are not a platform for transnational drug trafficking. We do not produce, process or consume narcotic or psychotropic substances!”
He added that with this operation, 21 aircraft have been disabled in 2025 and 412 since the implementation of the Airspace Control Law.
Last week, the FANB disabled three aircraft linked to drug trafficking in two areas near Colombia, military authorities reported at the time. Two planes were disabled in the municipality of Rómulo Gallegos and the third in the municipality of Autana, in Amazonas state—both bordering Colombia—said José Luis Tremont, commander of Integral Aerospace Defense.
