A US military refueling aircraft nearly collided with a passenger jet near the Venezuelan coast on Friday, according to reports from the Associated Press and The New York Times, citing flight tracking data and radio communications.
The incident occurred as JetBlue Flight 1112 was traveling from Curaçao to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. About 20 minutes after takeoff, the plane reportedly lost altitude suddenly during its climb, with the pilot radioing, "We almost had a midair collision up here." The pilot described how the military tanker passed directly into the flight path of the airliner, noting that the US military aircraft had its transponder turned off. "It’s outrageous," the pilot added, referring to the lack of a transponder signal, which is crucial for tracking aircraft.
JetBlue spokesman Derek Dombrowski confirmed the airline had reported the incident to authorities, saying, "Our crew members are trained on proper procedures for various flight situations, and we appreciate our crew for promptly reporting this situation to our leadership team."
The US Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the region, acknowledged the reports, with spokesman Colonel Manny Ortiz stating that they were "aware of the recent reporting regarding US military aircraft operations in the Caribbean and are currently reviewing the matter." He added that safety remained a top priority, and the military was “working through the appropriate channels to assess the facts surrounding the situation.”
The incident occurred amid rising tensions in the Caribbean, where the US has increased its military presence. In September, the US launched a series of strikes targeting alleged cartel boats operating off the coast of Venezuela. President Donald Trump has publicly threatened to strike "narcoterrorists" on Venezuelan soil, accusing the Venezuelan government of facilitating drug trafficking to the US. Venezuela has denied these claims, characterizing the US military actions as part of a broader "colonialist" agenda aimed at toppling President Nicolás Maduro and exploiting the country’s natural resources.
The close encounter has raised serious concerns about the safety of air travel in the region, as well as the implications of military operations near commercial air routes. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the exact circumstances of the near miss and ensure greater safety in the airspace over the Caribbean.
Source: RT
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
