Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry criticized the United States for what it called a premature move after reports that Washington shot down a Chinese civilian balloon over American territory. The Venezuelan stance framed the incident as another rash action by U.S. authorities and cited the report circulated in diplomatic circles, notably via the agency TASS, as part of its basis for concern.
In a formal statement, the State Department conveyed that Venezuela rejected the attack on a Chinese-made civilian drone described as malfunctioning and not posing any military threat or danger to people on land. It emphasized the drone’s civilian character and asserted there was no immediate risk to the country, urging a measured, non unilateral response instead of rapid force.
Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry added that the United States has stepped further up a confrontational path rather than approaching the situation with seriousness and responsibility. It highlighted a pattern of forceful measures and called for restraint and a commitment to deescalate tensions in the region.
Earlier reporting noted that a Chinese balloon crossed the United States and was treated domestically as a potential spy device. Beijing described the object as civilian and said it had unintentionally drifted into American airspace. This framing fueled sharp public exchanges and a broader debate about balancing security concerns with civil aviation norms.
Defense analysts noted that the downing of what was described as a Chinese spy balloon represents a significant moment for air force operations. The assessment pointed to the rarity of such decisive actions in recent years and likened the event to major military campaigns, suggesting it could set a precedent for handling similar intrusions going forward. The commentary reflected on historical patterns of aerial incidents and the evolving protocols that govern cross-border encounters and intelligence gathering, with an emphasis on transparency and regional stability. Attribution: TASS