Chavez OKs shooting drones over country

[The Straight Story]

Chavez OKs shooting drones over country

CARACAS, Venezuela, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he gave the military orders to shoot down any U.S. unmanned aircraft in his country's airspace.

Chavez said using a drone constituted "an act of war" and complained of the United States' allegedly using Columbia as a staging area, the Latin American Herald Tribune reported Monday.

"A few days ago, at midnight, one of their aircraft without a crew penetrated up to the Fuerte Mara (in a western border state). The soldiers saw it; they called the officer of the guard, he came, but it left, the plane disappeared," Chavez said during Sunday's broadcast of his show, "Alo Presidente." "Last night, I ordered: Any little aircraft of those that (appears), bring it down."

Last week, Chavez accused The Netherlands of working with the United States on a plan to attack Venezuela, the newspaper said. He said the Dutch islands of Aruba and Curacao "have permitted the installation of U.S. military teams on their territory, placing Venezuela in the sights of the Americans."

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2009/12/21/Chavez-OKs-shooting-drones-over-country/UPI-79761261406292/

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. I would think any country....

whose airspace is violated would have that right. If it is an unmanned drone, blast it the fuck out of the sky.

[Fumesucker]

2. Would the US military shoot down Venezuelan drones in US airspace..

Or would they be allowed to spy on us unmolested?

[ixion]

4. exactly

[HopeHoops]

3. It is their airspace. Anyone violating another county's airspace is subject to being shot down.

That's completely legitimate, especially it is identified as an unmanned drone. For manned craft, it is at least basic courtesy to try to make contact before blowing it to bits, unless of course it is in or heading toward a sensitive area.

[berni_mccoy]

5. Grandstanding from an antention-desperate dictator.

[Enrique]

6. do you think the U.S. might be flying drones into Venezuela?

I think it's possible myself.

[Rebubula]

8. What would be the point?

We have dozens of satellites that maintain coverage on Venezuela.

I agree that it is possible, just not likely considering the technology at hand.

[Vidar]

7. Good for Chavez.