The Pentagon announced the detection of a Chinese balloon over Latin America

Another Chinese aircraft was seen in the skies over Latin America, it is not bound for the US, transmits CNN with reference to the press service of the Pentagon.

“We are receiving reports of a hot air balloon flying through Latin America. According to our assessment, this is another Chinese reconnaissance balloon, ”said General Patrick Ryder.

It is not known which part of the region the balloon was flying over, but most likely it is not bound for the United States, the TV channel was told.

On February 3, a Pentagon spokesman also reported that a Chinese balloon had been spotted in the sky over the United States. It was decided not to shoot down the aircraft because of the threat to the civilian population. US President Joe Biden was informed of the incident.

Later, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that the aircraft really belongs to China, but clarified that it was used for scientific research, and not for espionage. The foreign ministry of the country expressed regret about this, emphasizing that the balloon deviated from the set course due to the wind.

In connection with the incident, postponed US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s planned visit to China. The fact that Blinken may not go to Beijing due to the fact that a Chinese balloon was seen over the state of Montana, where secret nuclear facilities are located, was reported by ABC and Bloomberg, citing sources. His visit to China would be “the wrong signal” after what happened, Bloomberg’s source said.

It was specified that Blinken’s visit to Beijing was to take place early next week – it would be the first visit by a senior US diplomat in five years. According to a State Department spokesman, the trip had been in preparation since last year and was expected to be of significant importance for the discussion of bilateral issues.