President Maduro ordered an investigation into the causes of the accident of a FANB aircraft in Amazonas (+statement)

Published at: 30/07/2025 11:13 AM

The President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, ordered the initiation of an investigation into the accident suffered by an aircraft of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) that rushed to the ground this Tuesday, July 29.

This was reported in a statement issued by the Minister of Defense, G/J Vladimir Padrino López, who explained that the Cessna Grand Caravan C-208B, acronym AMB-4292, belonging to the Air Transport Group No. 9 of Bolivarian Military Aviation, suffered the accident while carrying out a mission to transfer personnel from the Yanomami indigenous community to the town of Parima B, in the municipality of Alto Orinoco, in the state of Amazonas.

In the incident, a FANB officer and six indigenous people who were traveling on the aircraft lost their lives.

Below is the full statement:

The Bolivarian National Armed Forces reports that yesterday, July 29, at 08:30 a.m., the Cessna Grand Caravan C-208B aircraft, acronym AMB-4292, belonging to the Bolivarian Military Aviation Air Transport Group No. 9, with headquarters at the “General José Antonio Páez” Air Base, located in Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas state, crashed to the ground. The above-mentioned aircraft carried out a mission to transfer personnel from the Yanomami indigenous community to the town of Parima B, in the municipality of Alto Orinoco; and would return with material and equipment from the National Electoral Council, within the framework of Operation Republic “Municipal Elections 2025". The accident occurred in the Cucurital sector, near the town of La Reforma, approximately at coordinates 05°35'59" N 67°28'05" W, 14 km east of the “Cacique Aramare” National Airport, Atures municipality of the same state.

The aircraft was piloted by Major Yonkers Atahualpa Salimey Rujano, Captain Luis Alberto Durán Caripa (co-pilot), and Lieutenant Valerie Julbet Valentiner Vera (chief of machine). Immediately after losing radar contact, the FANB deployed air and ground units to search and rescue crew members and passengers. Fortunately, three of the ten people on board were rescued and are being provided with appropriate medical care. Unfortunately, the co-pilot and six compatriots died from causes yet to be determined, and the evacuation of their bodies will take place as soon as possible.

Citizen Nicolás Maduro Moros, Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Commander in Chief of the FANB, has ordered the initiation of the relevant investigations in order to determine the possible causes of the accident; to this end, this Office activated the institution's Air Accident Investigation Board.

The soul of the armed institution has mourned the physical departure of our indigenous brothers, to whose peoples we have always paid special attention. Likewise, we are saddened by the loss of this courageous Officer, who, in faithful fulfillment of the constitutional task of guaranteeing the right to suffrage of Venezuelans throughout the country, including the most remote places, has offered his life serving the country with a great spirit of sacrifice, patriotism and loyalty. We pray to Almighty God to ease the pain of their families and friends, reiterating their total solidarity and unconditional support.

Chávez lives!... The Fatherland continues!

Independence and Socialist Homeland!... We will live and we will overcome!

The Venezuelan Sun rises in the Essequibo!

Independence or nothing!... Always loyal to them... Never traitors!

Caracas, July 30, 2025

VLADIMIR PADRINO LÓPEZ Chief General

Mazo News Team