US investigates detention of soldier in Venezuela

The US Navy is investigating the Detention of a marine in Venezuela who was on a personal tripPentagon sources told Efe on Wednesday.

«We are aware of reports that a US Navy Marine He was arrested on or about August 30, 2024 by Venezuelan police authorities while he was on a personal trip to Venezuela,” said Pentagon sources.

The US Navy is investigating this and “working closely with the State Department,” they added.

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela increase

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have increased in recent days following the arrest warrant issued against the Venezuelan opposition leader, Edmundo González Urrutia.

The United States said Tuesday it is considering further action against Nicolas Maduro’s government to show him that all his political decisions have consequences.

The Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office on Monday requested a specialized court for terrorist crimes to issue an arrest warrant against González Urrutia, candidate of the largest opposition coalition, for his “alleged commission of crimes of usurpation of functions” and “forgery of public documents” in relation to the electoral records of the presidential elections of July 28.

The request was made after the Prosecutor’s Office summoned González Urrutia on three occasions and the opponent decided not to appear, as he did not know in what capacity he should appear and did not acknowledge the crimes that the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) attributes to him.

Maduro’s official plane seized

The latest major action against the Venezuelan government was the seizure, on Monday, of Maduro’s official plane, which was seized in the Dominican Republic by order of the United States authorities, as part of the sanctions applied to Caracas.

According to Washington, the aircraft, which was transferred to Florida after being “illegally purchased” for $13 million, It is a Dassault Falcon 900EX owned by Maduro and individuals affiliated with him in Venezuela and operated on his behalf.

The Venezuelan government announced after the seizure that it would reserve the right to take legal action to repair the damage and said in a statement that what happened was a “criminal practice.”

In April, the United States partially reversed sanctions relief on Venezuelan oil and gas, accusing Maduro of failing to meet his electoral commitments by disqualifying opposition candidate María Corina Machado.