Two U.S. F-18 fighter jets flying in tandem entered Venezuelan airspace around noon Tuesday, circling over the Gulf of Venezuela in the latest show of force against the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
The flyover — carried out despite the Venezuelan regime’s possession of a number of Russian-made anti-aircraft batteries — took place less than 100 miles northeast of Maracaibo, Venezuela’s second-largest city. Thousands of Venezuelans tracked the aircraft online through specialized tracking websites, watching as the jets traced a bow-tie-shaped pattern over the gulf.
The fighters remained inside Venezuelan airspace for at least 40 minutes at an altitude of roughly 25,000 feet before heading north and leaving the area.
Militaries don’t “have to” follow orders. They accept full responsibility for these orders. They can refuse orders and will have to accept responsibility for not following them.
Evaluation of the legality of the order happens in court, both entail respect of the constitution AND international treaties the country has signed, both use judges, lawyers and prosecutors. Are formalised to the extreme.
Following orders of such an unpopular government is the biggest long term threat on any soldier. Most understand this, I hope.