“What is happening in Venezuela is political, not technical. And there was no humanitarian reason to allow the landing.” sources from the government of Luis Lacalle Pou told El País last night, after the Foreign Ministry of Nicolás Maduro issued a statement condemning Uruguay’s attitude of not allowing the landing of a plane of that nationality with cargo on June 8 Venezuelan-Iranian, who later had to go to Argentina, where he was detained by the aeronautical authorities of that country.
(Also read: Venezuela charges against Uruguay in case of plane retained in Argentina)
In the document, which the Venezuelan government made public, it is “categorically rejects the irresponsible management offered by the aeronautical authority of Uruguayby revoking the overflight permit granted to the Venezuelan company Emtrasur, while the aircraft was in the air (…) to make a technical supply stopover.”
The crew, the letter continues, “was forced to return immediately to the Ezeiza airport in Argentina, not having the regulatory fuel, putting the lives of the crew at serious risk.” In addition, the Maduro government assures that, once it landed in Argentina, the aircraft had 17,000 liters of fuel.“well below what is recommended by Emtrasur’s Standardized Operational Procedure, which is set at 20,000 liters.”
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Uruguayan government sources, however, warned that the aircraft could fly “perfectly” with this fuel. for another hour. In addition, they pointed out that, when the takeoff of an airplane is authorized, “this is done by virtue of having enough fuel to reach its destination.” And not only that: “an alternate airport must also be established, to which it must have fuel not only to arrive, but also to fly for 45 more minutes.”
The flight
The aircraft in question had entered Argentina on June 6, from Mexico, after a stopover in Venezuela, bound for the Ezeiza international airport, and two days later it took off to go to Uruguay to refuel, but returned to Argentina after this was prevented.
It is a cargo Boeing 747 Dreamliner, which was owned by the Iranian company Mahan Air and currently belongs to Emtrasur, a subsidiary of the Venezuelan Consortium of Aeronautical Industries and Air Services (Conviasa), companies that are sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury.
Venezuela, the statement also points out, considers what happened unacceptable and demands explanations from the Uruguayan government authorities about this “terrible event.” It also advocates the “principles of security, fraternity and brotherhood that have historically guided relations between the two nations.”
“The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela denounces before the international aeronautical community this unfortunate action that could have caused a tragedy, human losses and damage to both nations, in addition to flagrantly violating the freedoms of the air,” the text adds.
From the Uruguayan government, however, they told El País that the aircraft was asked if there was some kind of danger or a “humanitarian reason” for having to land, and that this was not verified.
THE COUNTRY (GDA)
URUGUAY
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