HomeNewsBriefDoubts Raised Over Downed 'Narco-Planes' in Venezuela
BRIEF

Doubts Raised Over Downed 'Narco-Planes' in Venezuela

VENEZUELA / 16 OCT 2013 BY MARGUERITE CAWLEY EN

The authenticity of a photograph purporting to show one of two "nacro-planes" apparently shot down by a special armed forces unit in the south of Venezuela has been called into question, raising doubts about the integrity of the security forces involved in anti-narcotics operations.

Vladimir Padrino Lopez, head of the Strategic Operational Command of the armed forces (Ceofanb), wrote on his Twitter account on October 12 that his unit had "detected and immobilized" two planes "associated with drug trafficking" in the south of Apure state, near the Colombian border (see below). He later put up a photo showing an incinerated airplane, which he claimed was one of the two shot down.

However, a retired air force general and a lawyer have raised doubts about the event, reported El Nacional.

Manuel Andara Clavier noted that the photo made it appear the plane was destroyed once on the ground, and there was no sign of the drugs or crew members. Lawyer Rocio San Miguel expressed concerns over the apparently unregulated nature of the operation, stating "It is unknown who authorized this... it should be clarified... where the attacked planes came from, what their destination was, and the results of the operation."

InSight Crime Analysis

Earlier this month, following the discovery of over a ton of cocaine aboard an Air France flight that left from Caracas, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced that the country had approved a law allowing for any drug plane entering Venezuelan air space to be shot down. In this context, the alleged October 12 operation could be an attempt to show that the country is following through on its anti-drug commitments.

However, the questions raised by Andara and San Miguel are cause for concern. Given the history of Venezuela's security forces, who have been frequently accused of corruption and ties to drug trafficking, the faking of a drug plane shoot-down for good publicity would not be out of the question.

SEE ALSO: Venezuela News and Profiles

The New York Times reported last year that the state of Apure is a major transit area for Caribbean-bound cocaine, and that, despite government claims to the contrary, security forces did not appear to be doing all they could to stem the constant flow of drug flights. However, US diplomatic sources tell InSight Crime they have been pleasantly surprised by Venezuela's increased vigilance of its illicit air traffic; flights arriving to Honduras from Venezuela are also reportedly lower in 2013.

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Tags

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

BOLIVIA / 8 NOV 2022

Environmental crime is driving deforestation across the Amazon, where some parts are now emitting more carbon dioxide than they absorb.

BRAZIL / 31 DEC 2021

Prediction of the criminal dynamics for 2022 is even harder than most years, as it involves predicting the march of…

EXTORTION / 27 JAN 2023

The Carlos Capa gang is one of the oldest surviving criminal gangs in Valles del Tuy, south of Caracas in…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

All Eyes on Ecuador

2 JUN 2023

Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…

WORK WITH US

Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist

27 MAY 2023

InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.