The Minister of People’s Power for Defense, Governor Vladimir Padrino López, confirmed the death of seven people after the crash of a Cessna Grand Caravan C-208B aircraft (signature AMB-4292) of the 9th Air Transport Group of the Bolivarian Military Aviation. The accident occurred in Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas state, and the causes of the crash are still under investigation.
Among the victims are the co-pilot and six civilians, whose bodies will be evacuated as quickly as possible. Padrino López expressed his condolences to the families through an official statement from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), highlighting the immediate deployment of search and rescue teams after losing contact with the aircraft.
The flight crew consisted of Major Yonkers Atahualpa Salimey Rujano (pilot), Captain Luis Alberto Durán Caripa (copilot), and Lieutenant Valerie Julbet Valentiner Vera (engine chief). Three of the ten people on board were rescued alive and received specialized medical attention.
President Nicolás Maduro ordered the activation of the Air Accident Investigation Board to clarify the causes of the accident. Authorities are working to determine whether technical, human, or weather factors played a role in the tragedy.
The FANB reiterated its commitment to aviation safety and guaranteed transparency in the investigation. This incident marks a painful moment for the Venezuelan military aviation, which maintains surveillance operations in the area to support subsequent efforts.
While awaiting official results, the Venezuelan government and armed forces are providing support to those affected. The community of Puerto Ayacucho and the entire country mourn this loss.
Following, the official communiqué by the FANB:
BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE MINISTRY OF PEOPLE’S POWER FOR DEFENSE
“The Bolivarian National Armed Forces announces that yesterday, July 29, at 8:30 a.m., a Cessna Grand Caravan C-208B aircraft, registration AMB-4292, belonging to the 9th Air Transport Group of the Bolivarian Military Aviation, based at the «Gral. José Antonio Páez» Air Base located in Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas state, crashed to the ground. The aforementioned aircraft was carrying out a mission to transport personnel from the Yanomami indigenous community to the town of Parima B, in the Alto Orinoco municipality; and it was to return with materials 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, in the Atures municipality of the same state.
The aircraft was piloted by Major Yonkers Atahualpa Salimey Rujano, Captain Luis Alberto Durán Caripa (copilot), and Lieutenant Valerie Julbet Valentiner Vera (engine chief). Immediately after losing radar contact, the FANB deployed air and ground units to search and rescue the crew and passengers. Fortunately, three of the ten people on board were rescued and are receiving appropriate medical attention. Sadly, the copilot and six compatriots died from causes yet to be determined; their bodies will be evacuated 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 pertinent investigations 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 with 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 duty of guaranteeing the right to vote of Venezuelans throughout the country, including the most remote places, has given his life serving the country with a great spirit of sacrifice, patriotism, and loyalty. We raise our prayers to God Almighty to ease the grief of his family and friends, reiterating our total solidarity and unconditional support.
Chávez lives!… The Homeland continues!
Independence and Socialist Homeland!… We shall live and overcome!
The sun of Venezuela rises in the Essequibo!
Independence or nothing!… Always loyal…Never traitors!”
Caracas, July 30, 2025
VLADÍMIR PADRINO LÓPEZ
General in Chief