Caribbean Airlines denies aircraft held in Venezuela

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The State-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has denied a local television report that one of its aircraft had been detained in Venezuela this week and released only after the crew had handed over fruit juices.

In a statement on its website, CAL said that the report by CNC 3 was “devoid of fact” and called on the television station, “to immediately retract the incorrect story carried in its newscast on Tuesday” night.

“This type of tabloid journalism has far-reaching consequences and Caribbean Airlines is asking CNC 3 to be more responsible in how it presents news stories,” the airline said.

The newscast had reported that the aircraft had been surrounded by Venezuelan soldiers who were demanding fruit juices as the Spanish-speaking country continue to feel the impact of an economic downturn occasioned by low oil prices.

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