The Venezuelan government demanded this Thursday explanations to the Uruguayan authorities about the decision adopted by the Minister of Defense, Javier García, to not authorizing access to the Venezuelan-Iranian plane that had taken off from the Ezeiza airport to make a supply stopover in Montevideo.
Venezuela “denounces before the international aeronautical community this unfortunate action that could have caused a tragedy, human losses and damages for both nations,” he said. For the Venezuelan authorities there was an “irresponsible handling” of the situation, and it was a “terrible fact.”
“The crew of the aircraft was forced to return immediately to the Ezeiza airport in Argentina, not having the regulatory fuel, putting The life of the crew is at serious risk., he added. Five Iranians and 14 Venezuelans are staying in a hotel in the Argentine capital, delayed, while the investigation of their cases progresses.
Once they landed, the letter adds, “it was found that the aircraft had only 17,000 liters of fuel, well below what is recommended by Emtrasur’s Standardized Operational Procedure, which is established at 20,000 liters.”
It adds: “At the same time, it urges to ensure the principles of security, fraternity and brotherhood that have historically guided relations between both nations”.