Venezuela skyter ned HS 125

Venezuela downs Mexican aircraft

Released 2013-11-07 01:55:56 GMT: 5 hours ago. 

CARACAS: Venezuela shot down  a small Mexican-registered airplane in its  southwest, the Caracas government said  Wednesday, without providing a reason for  taking the action or information about  possible casualties. Venezuela's information ministry said in a statement that the air force late Monday "detected and intercepted a Hawker 25 aircraft with the registration XBMGM" in the southwestern state of Apure, near the Colombian border. The statement quoted the head of Venezuela's strategiccommand Vladimir Padrino Lopez. Mexico's foreign ministry said it sent a diplomatic note asking Caracas to "explain the incident in strict adherence with international law." The air force released pictures of the wrecked plane, with fire still raging in what remained of the fuselage. Venezuela monitors its border with Colombia to combatdrug trafficking. The air force has brought down 13 aircraft linked to drug smuggling this year. (AFP)