If you thought one communist Chinese spy balloon was bad, now it has been confirmed that another one has been spotted over Latin America, Breitbart reported.
The Pentagon confirmed that the balloon was another Chinese surveillance balloon, Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said.
On Thursday, one of the balloons stirred up national and local headlines as it crossed over the United States. The Biden administration took a PR beating due to its lack of serious response to the situation, at least not a response expected of a president when enemy equipment is flying overhead.
The Chinese spy balloon flew over Missouri today including near critical military installations.
Missourians and Americans deserve action and answers.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee I’m demanding just that. https://t.co/QIYc7OVRZ0
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) February 3, 2023
News of the latest spy balloon sighting was reported Friday.
New: Pentagon says another Chinese spy balloon is currently transiting Latin America. Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said in a statement to CNN, “We are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America. We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon.”
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) February 4, 2023
General Ryder issued a statement on the situation.
"The U.S. government, including NORAD, continues to track and monitor it closely. The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground," Ryder said.
He added, "Instances of this kind of balloon activity have been observed previously over the past several years. Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information."
At last reporting, the U.S. officials indicated that the second balloon wasn't on a path toward the United States. It remains unclear what will become of the second balloon.
On Saturday, the Chinese balloon that traversed the entirety of the United States was finally shot down as it exited out over the Atlantic Ocean from the Carolinas region.
🚨BREAKING NEWS: China Spy Balloon has been shot down over the Atlantic. pic.twitter.com/AKqhcBHJJL
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕷𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖊𝖘𝖘™️ (@CL4WS_OUT) February 4, 2023
Biden did a victory lap for taking the balloon out but was heavily criticized for being far too late. The surveillance equipment had several days to perform whatever missions it was programmed for.
One wonders how long that balloon would have been over sovereign U.S. soil if Trump were still in charge.