US Suspends Anti-Drug Radar Support in Honduras

US Suspends Anti-Drug Radar Support in Honduras
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras September 7, 2012 (AP)

The U.S. State Department has suspended sharing of radar intelligence with Honduras after the Central American nation's Air Force shot down two suspected drug planes in violation of U.S. agreements, the department confirmed Friday.

The decision came after two separate incidents in July, when civilian aircraft were shot down off the coast of northern Honduras, said William Ostick, Western Hemispheric Affairs Office spokesman. The U.S. bilateral agreement with Honduras for information sharing exclusively prohibits shooting down civilian aircraft.

"We don't have information about the occupants or the cargo," Ostick said.

The State Department and Drug Enforcement Administration agents ran a joint operation with Honduran forces until mid-July going after planes carrying cocaine into the country. It wasn't clear Friday if the planes were shot down during the joint operation.

More:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-suspends-anti-drug-radar-support-honduras-17184229