US Navy Sailor Detained in Venezuela for Unknown Reasons, Officials Report

A United States Navy sailor has been detained in Venezuela after traveling there on personal leave, without authorization from military authorities, according to official sources.

During a recent news briefing, White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby confirmed the sailor’s detainment. He explained that the sailor was on personal travel and not conducting official government business. “We’re obviously in touch, as appropriate, with Venezuelan authorities to try and gain more understanding of the situation,” Kirby stated.

The State Department is closely monitoring the case, although the exact reasons behind the sailor’s detention are still unclear. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

In a related development, Venezuela’s attorney general’s office announced that a court has issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Edmundo González. Reports indicate that González faces accusations of conspiracy and other crimes stemming from disagreements over the outcome of a recent presidential election.

According to reports, González is claiming he won the most votes in the July 28 election, while the government of President Nicolás Maduro has declared otherwise. Western nations and international bodies, including a United Nations panel of experts, have raised concerns regarding the transparency of the election. Some have accused Maduro’s administration of committing fraud during the electoral process.

The U.S. State Department described the issuance of the arrest warrant as “arbitrary and politically motivated,” emphasizing that it signifies a low point in Maduro’s aggressive tactics against political rivals following allegations of election fraud.

This warrant was issued shortly after the Biden administration announced the confiscation of an aircraft used by Maduro in the Dominican Republic, due to a purchase that violated U.S. sanctions. The Venezuelan government reacted strongly, labeling these actions by the Biden administration as “piracy.”

Additionally, the State Department continues to issue warnings to U.S. citizens about traveling to Venezuela, citing concerns over violent crimes including homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking, which are prevalent in the country.

Officials have indicated a high risk of wrongful detention for U.S. nationals in Venezuela. Reports have noted that security forces have held U.S. citizens for extended periods—sometimes up to five years—without notifying the U.S. government or granting access to its citizens detained in Venezuela.

Protests against Maduro’s government have also met with strong responses from police and security forces, using tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against demonstrators. These protests have at times escalated into looting and vandalism. Amidst this unrest, the country grapples with significant shortages of essential resources such as gasoline, electricity, water, and medical supplies.

As the situation unfolds, both the families of the detained sailor and the broader international community await further developments regarding his status and the implications of this incident on U.S.-Venezuelan relations.

Source: Reuters