US Navy sailor detained by law enforcement in Venezuela

By AFP
September 05, 2024
A member of the U.S. Navy looks on from the USS Bataan. — Reuters/File
A member of the U.S. Navy looks on from the USS Bataan. — Reuters/File

WASHINGTON: A US Navy sailor has been detained by law enforcement in Venezuela, a US official said on Wednesday, at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas.

The sailor is the latest in a series of US military personnel to be held recently in countries with which the United States has strained ties, after others were detained in North Korea and Russia.

“We´re tracking a US Navy sailor was detained in Venezuela by law enforcement in that country,” the official said on condition of anonymity, without providing further details on the detention.

Another US official said the country´s Navy was looking into reports that a sailor was detained around August 30 “while on personal travel to Venezuela.”

Tensions between the United States and the South American country are high, centered around disputed July 28 elections that saw incumbent President Nicolas Maduro declared the winner.