US military officer reported detained in Venezuela
An American soldier was arrested in Venezuela by officials of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin)according to sources cited by CNN.
The soldier, a U.S. Navy sailor, was arrested on Aug. 30 in Caracas, according to at least four officials with knowledge of the matter.
“We are aware of reports that a United States Navy sailor was detained on or about August 30, 2024 by Venezuelan law enforcement authorities while on personal travel to Venezuela. The US Navy is investigating this and working closely with the State Department. We’re referring him to the State Department if he has any additional questions,” a defense official told CNN.
The US soldier detained in Venezuela did not have travel permission
The US military officer was not on official travel or on approved leave when he traveled to Venezuelaso it is unclear why he was in the country, according to another source.
“We are aware of reports of an individual being detained in Venezuela. We have no further information to share at this time,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The US Navy is investigating this and is working closely with the State Department, the sources added.
Maduro’s plane seized in the Dominican Republic
The arrest of an American citizen comes after this week The United States confiscated a plane belonging to Nicolás Maduro in the Dominican Republic.
According to Washington, the aircraft, which was transferred to Florida after having been illegally purchased for $13 million, is a Dassault Falcon 900EX owned by Maduro and people affiliated with him in Venezuela, which was 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 act.
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.
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