Venezuelan military shoots downs private aircraft previously grounded on Bonaire

BONAIRE--A private aircraft that had been held on Bonaire for months under a grounding order from the Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has been shot down by Venezuelan forces after allegedly entering the country’s airspace over Apure state.

Curacao Chronicle reported that Venezuelan broadcaster Globovisión reported that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) confirmed the destruction of what they described as an “unauthorized aircraft” on October 26, part of ongoing anti-smuggling and airspace protection operations. Images released by Venezuelan authorities show the wreckage of a small plane marked with registration number XB-RED.

Aviation officials on Bonaire confirmed that a plane with the same registration had been stationed at Flamingo International Airport since October 2024, when it was grounded for failing to meet regulatory standards. The aircraft’s operators were later granted limited approval to conduct a demonstration flight to test its ADS-B tracking system. However, instead of remaining within local airspace, the plane reportedly headed south toward Venezuelan territory.

Unverified accounts suggest the aircraft’s transponder was deactivated shortly after takeoff, effectively removing it from radar visibility. How the plane was able to depart despite an active grounding order remains unknown, prompting questions about compliance and airport supervision.

Venezuelan officials have not disclosed the identities or cargo of those on board, but regional sources indicate the aircraft was piloted by two Colombian nationals who died in the incident. Authorities in Bonaire and the ILT have so far declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized departure.

The event has sparked concerns about aviation oversight and cross-border coordination between Dutch Caribbean jurisdictions and South American states. Analysts warn that the case could expose weaknesses in regional monitoring systems and underscores the need for tighter enforcement of grounding and flight authorization protocols.

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