A recent mid-air incident has raised concerns about aviation safety in the Caribbean. On Friday, a JetBlue passenger airliner nearly collided with a US military aircraft near the Venezuelan coast. According to reports, the US Air Force refueling tanker was flying with its transponder off, making it difficult for other aircraft to detect its presence.
The incident occurred 20 minutes after JetBlue Flight 1112 took off from Curaçao, a small island off the coast of Venezuela, bound for New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The airliner suddenly lost altitude mid-climb, prompting the pilot to report a near-miss. “We almost had a midair collision up here,” the pilot said. “They passed directly in our flight path… They don’t have their transponder turned on; it’s outrageous.”
The incident has been reported to the authorities, and JetBlue has confirmed that its crew members are trained to handle such situations. “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,” said JetBlue spokesman Derek Dombrowski.
The US Southern Command has acknowledged the incident and is currently reviewing the matter. Colonel Manny Ortiz, a spokesman for the command, stated that safety remains a top priority and the military is working through the appropriate channels to assess the facts surrounding the situation.
The incident comes amid a US naval buildup in the Caribbean and President Donald Trump’s threats to strike “narcoterrorists” on Venezuelan soil. Since September, the US has carried out strikes on alleged cartel boats, resulting in the deaths of over 80 people. Venezuela has denied any involvement in drug trafficking, describing the strikes as part of a “colonialist” plan to topple President Nicolas Maduro and exploit the country’s natural resources.
The incident highlights the need for safe and responsible aviation practices, particularly in areas with high military activity. As the US military continues to operate in the Caribbean, it is essential to ensure that all aircraft, including military planes, follow standard safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and its outcome may have implications for aviation safety and military operations in the region.