Around 7:00 a.m. local time in Colombia, a Cessna 550 Citation with registration YV-3226, linked to Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela, landed at the Camilo Daza International Airport in Cúcuta (CUC), Colombia.
What makes the case particular, according to reports from Colombian media, is that the operation allegedly took place without proper authorization. Additionally, around five members of the Bolivarian National Guard disembarked, including two pilots, a flight attendant, a major, and a senior sergeant. Two of them were reportedly carrying their standard-issue weapons.
The Cessna Citation had taken off from the Maiquetía International Airport, serving Caracas, at 6:38 a.m. local time (one hour earlier than in Colombia). According to FlightRadar24, the aircraft headed southwest towards Santa Bárbara, then west towards San Antonio del Táchira, but eventually landed in neighboring Cúcuta, on the Colombian side.
However, by midday on Friday, Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia issued a statement clarifying that the aircraft had the proper authorization according to the Chicago Convention and the current Colombian Aeronautical Regulations.
These regulations recognize, explains Aerocivil, “the right to make technical stops in Colombian territory, as well as the use of aerodromes in emergency situations, as is the current case, due to a confusion between nearby runways.” According to Sergio París, head of Aerocivil, the crew intended to land at San Antonio del Táchira Airport, which has a runway (17/35) with a similar orientation to that of Cúcuta Airport (16/34).
“In consideration of the international right that applies to aircraft YV-3226 in this condition, and the information gathered regarding the operational incident, the aircraft is authorized to take off to continue its flight to its final destination. We also appreciate the assistance provided, which is required by civil aviation in emergency or aid situations,” the Aerocivil statement continues.
This, they add, also applies to the crew, passengers, belongings, and luggage, “which, for Aerocivil purposes, are part of an incident beyond their control, stemming from a presumed navigational error.”
While there have been many cases where pilots, for various reasons, confuse runways or airports, in this instance, the situation is unique as it occurred between two different countries. Moreover, anything linked to Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship remains shrouded in suspicion and raises alarms.
Cover photo: courtesy of Radio Caracol Noticias
