Caracas, July 22 (RHC)-- A U.S. intelligence aircraft flew into Venezuelan airspace Monday morning, following a similiar incident last Friday, in “a clear provocation” and in violation of international treaties.

Vladimir Padrino Lopez, Venezuela's defense minister, issued the announcement Monday afternoon.  He said that the U.S. plane entered Venezuelan airspace at 11:43 a.m. local time, without prior notification and violating international rules.  He said the flight also endangered commercial flights from Venezuela's international airport.

Upon identifying the plane as a U.S. electronic intelligence gathering aircraft, a Venezuelan fighter jet escorted it from the region, authorities said, adding that there have been 76 such incidents so far this year.

"The Armed Forces of Venezuela firmly rejects this type of provocation on the part of the United States of America," Padrino López said in a statement.  "We will continually be alert to watching over the tranquility of the Venezuelan people."