Military officer confirms the presence of 3 USA Black Hawks at Maiquetia in April 2002 

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan National Defense & Security Council secretary General Melvin Lopez Hidalgo says the government has conclusive proof of USA involvement in the April 11 coup. 

Lopez Hidalgo says coordinated activities took place between the USA, the rebel Venezuelan Army and rebel National Guard (GN) elements and confirms reports that three (3) Black Hawk helicopters had landed at Caracas (Simon Bolivar) international airport at Maiquetia ... "their operations were planned for April 11 and 19." 

• The General says the 3 helicopters had landed with authorization from the Military intelligence Directorate ... "there were several levels of coordination at the time." 

Referring to Armed Force (FAN) Inspector General, 3-star General Lucas Rincon Romero's announcement on April 11 that Chavez Frias had resigned, Lopez Hidalgo says "he asked me, and he asked Garcia Carneiro what was happening with the commanders of units and we replied that they were at a meeting ... they made him believe that they had full FAN support .. it was false, a ploy and it confused Rincon Romero, who said what he said to avoid further bloodshed and chaos."