Chavez accuses US of sending spy plane

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez has accused the US of violating Venezuela’s airspace with an unmanned spy plane, and ordered his military to be on alert and shoot down any such aircraft in the future.

Speaking during his weekly television and radio program, Mr Chavez said the aircraft overflew a Venezuelan military base in the western state of Zulia after taking off from neighbouring Colombia.

He did not elaborate, but suggested the plane was being used for espionage.

Mr Chavez has accused Colombia of allowing the US to use its military bases to prepare a possible attack against Venezuela.

Both the US and Colombia have denied such allegations in the past, saying the US military presence is for the sole purpose of combating drug trafficking.