Venezuela says it detected 5 US ‘combat planes’ flying 75km from its coast, calls it a ‘provocation’

By Michael Rios, CNN(CNN) — Venezuela on Thursday said it had detected five US fighter jets flying near its Caribbean coast. Combat aircraft that US imperialism has dared to approach the Venezuelan coast,” Padrino said in comments broadcast on state TV. Padrino described the planes as US F-35 fighter jets flying at a speed of 400 knots and an altitude of 35,000 feet. CNN has reached out to the US Department of Defense for comment and to the Venezuelan Defense Ministry for the exact positions of the flights. At least five F-35 fighter jets arrived in Puerto Rico in mid-September, according to the US Department of Defense.