The sailor, who was on a private trip, was arrested and is believed to be being held by the country’s intelligence services, according to a US official.
A member of the US Navy has been arrested in Venezuela, a US official said on Wednesday, September 4, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are closely monitoring the situation of a US Navy sailor (who) was detained in Venezuela by that country’s law enforcement agencies.”the source said without providing further details about his case.
The American channel CNN had earlier revealed that a U.S. citizen, a member of the U.S. Navy, had been arrested on August 30 in the Venezuelan capital, according to four unnamed U.S. officials. According to one of them, the sailor is being held by the country’s intelligence services. “We are aware of reports that a U.S. Navy sailor was detained on or about August 30, 2024, by Venezuelan authorities while in Venezuela for personal reasons.”the Pentagon confirmed in a statement.
High risk of unjustified detentions
“The U.S. Navy is reviewing the matter and working closely with the State Department.”he said. The U.S. State Department advises its citizens against traveling to Venezuela, citing risks related to crime and unjustified detentions. “There is a high risk of unjustified detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela”indicates in particular the travel advisory, recalling that American nationals could have been detained for several years.
And the “The U.S. government is generally not informed of the detention of its nationals in Venezuela and does not have access to U.S. prisoners in that country.” The arrest comes as the United States, like much of the international community, recently opposed the decision by Venezuela’s Supreme Court to validate the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro in a late July election that the opposition claims to have won. And after the seizure on Monday by American authorities of a plane belonging to the Venezuelan president, who has been criticized for“acts of piracy” for Venezuela.
