If there is still no response, it can shoot or force the suspect flight down. U.S. planes are barred from taking direct action against the suspicious flights. Since 1995, Peruvian jets have forced down or shot down 30 planes, and until now all were drug smugglers, U.S. and Peruvian officials say. There had been no reports of mistakes in Peru's media before last week, but the area is remote and largely controlled by Peru's military, making verification difficult. Colombia is the only other country with a program in which U.S. authorities pass information on to a local air force with a shoot-down policy.
Colombian authorities say they have had no deadly errors.
The United States suspended both programs pending an investigation into the downing of the missionaries' plane. Survivors say the Peruvian jet riddled the pontoon plane with bullets without warning, a charge disputed by Peruvian officials. Jim Bowers' brother Phil, a trained pilot, said last week. Me Imprint has done a very good job articulating my views. Back in 1994 and 1995, I was flying around the Amazon in these same small planes.