Recently, a US Navy sailor, who is also a US citizen, was detained in Caracas, Venezuela on August 30. The sailor was reportedly held by the Venezuelan intelligence agency SEBIN. The US Navy is currently investigating the situation in collaboration with the State Department.
It was revealed that the service member was not on official travel or approved leave when he traveled to Venezuela, although the reason for his visit remains unclear. The State Department has acknowledged the reports of the detention but has not provided further details at this time.
The State Department advises against travel to Venezuela due to the high risk of wrongful detention of US nationals. Security forces in Venezuela have detained US citizens for extended periods without notifying the US government or granting access to the prisoners.
The detention of the US sailor occurs amidst ongoing unrest in Venezuela following the disputed reelection of Nicolas Maduro in July. The US recently seized Maduro's airplane in the Dominican Republic, signaling a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries.
This incident comes after the successful repatriation of nine Americans, including the 'Citgo 6,' by the Biden administration in 2022 after years of detention in Venezuela. In December 2023, the US also secured the release of six wrongfully detained Americans and four others held in Venezuela.
