A U.S. Navy sailor has been detained in Venezuela after he went on vacation without military permission, two U.S. officials told Reuters. The move comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas.
IN Venezuela A US Navy sailor was detained, AP and CNN reported on Wednesday, citing US officials.
According to sources in the US Defense Department, the soldier went to Venezuela on private business, without the consent of his superiors. CNN sources said the American was detained on August 30 and is in the hands of the Venezuelan intelligence agency SEBIN.
“We are aware of reports that a member of the U.S. Navy was detained on or about August 30, 2024, by Venezuelan police while on a private trip to Venezuela,” the official said. Pentagonquoted by CNN.
Tensions escalate between Washington and Caracas
The station reminds that the US Department of State advises against travel to Venezuela due to the “high risk of illegal detention of American citizens.”
In recent months, relations between the United States and Venezuela have deteriorated following the presidential elections held in that country, in which the winner was declared by the government since 2013. Nicolas MaduroThe integrity of the election is widely questioned, with the opposition claiming its candidate won.
The U.S. has been pressing Caracas authorities to provide evidence of Maduro's alleged victory. Earlier this year, it reimposed sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry, saying the regime had failed to deliver on its promise to hold fair elections. On Monday, it announced the seizure of Dominicans Maduro's $13 million plane.
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