2 Anonymous US Officials Say Replacement F-16 Parts Being Sent to Venezuela

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U.S. Officials Say Replacement F-16 Parts Being Sent to Venezuela
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CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - American officials on Friday said the United States has recently sent replacement parts to Venezuela for its U.S.-made warplanes, denying President Hugo Chavez's claims that Washington has breached a supply contract governing the fleet.

The United States has continued to ship those parts necessary to maintain the safety of Venezuela's F-16 fighter jets in accordance with previous agreements, a U.S. Embassy official said.

He and another embassy official spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

The second official confirmed that a shipment of cartridges for ejector seats and other components arrived at Caracas' La Guaira international airport two weeks ago. Shipping documents were available to back those claims, he said.