US Sailor Detained in Venezuela: Key Details Confirmed by Officials
A U.S. Navy sailor has been detained in Venezuela, sparking concern among officials and heightening tensions between the two nations.
The detention, which occurred on August 30, 2024, was confirmed by multiple U.S. officials who are familiar with the incident.
Details of the Detention
According to the officials, the U.S. Navy sailor, who is also a U.S. citizen, was detained in Caracas by Venezuela’s intelligence agency, SEBIN.
Reports indicate that the sailor was on personal travel and not on official military duty or approved leave when he entered the country.
It is still unclear why the service member decided to travel to Venezuela, a nation known for its hostile relationship with the U.S.
A defense official informed CNN that the Navy is actively working with the U.S. State Department to investigate the matter.
“We are aware of reports that a U.S. Navy sailor was detained on or about August 30, 2024, by Venezuelan law enforcement authorities while on personal travel,” the official said. The situation remains fluid as officials try to gather more information.
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Diplomatic Response
The White House has acknowledged the detention, with John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, stating that they are “in touch” with Venezuelan authorities to gather more details.
“We’re obviously in touch, as appropriate, to try to get more knowledge and information about this,” Kirby said during a press briefing.
The State Department also released a statement confirming that they are aware of the situation. However, they provided no further details, stating, “We have no further information to share at this time.”
The Venezuelan government has not yet issued any comment on the matter.
Travel Advisories and Risks
The detention occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States.
The State Department has long advised against American citizens traveling to Venezuela, citing significant risks, including the potential for wrongful detentions.
“Security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years,” the State Department’s advisory warns.
It also notes that the U.S. government is often not notified when citizens are detained in Venezuela, complicating efforts to provide consular assistance.
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Recent Tensions Between the U.S. and Venezuela
The detention of the U.S. service member comes during a period of significant unrest within Venezuela.
Nicolas Maduro, the country’s leader, faced opposition and protests following his reelection in July, which many Latin American leaders refused to recognize.
The protests resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people and the detention of hundreds.
Adding to the tension, the U.S. recently seized Maduro’s airplane in the Dominican Republic. This seizure, reported by CNN, is seen as a strong message to Maduro’s regime.
A U.S. official described it as an unprecedented move: “Seizing the foreign head of state’s plane is unheard of for criminal matters.”
Historical Context
This latest detention echoes previous incidents involving U.S. citizens in Venezuela. In 2022, the Biden administration successfully secured the release of nine Americans, including the Citgo 6, who had been detained for five years.
Similarly, in December 2023, six wrongfully detained Americans and four other U.S. citizens were also freed from Venezuela.
As officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this latest detention, it is clear that the strained relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela remains a significant geopolitical challenge.