U.S. Navy Sailor Arrested In Venezuela For Traveling Without Authorization

A U.S. Navy sailor was arrested in Venezuela while he was on personal leave, according to several U.S. authorities.

The sailor, identified as a petty officer first class and former Navy SEAL, was arrested in Caracas on August 30, 2024.

Authorities have revealed that the sailor was neither on an approved leave nor official travel. The sailor’s detention comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for Venezuela due to a high risk of unlawful detentions and poor healthcare infrastructure.

The department is closely monitoring the situation but has not revealed any details on the reason for the sailor’s detention.

The White House and State Department are actively working with Venezuelan authorities to acquire more information.

The National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, stated that they are in touch with the Venezuelan authorities to obtain further details of the situation.

The arrest comes when there is still unrest between Caracas and Washington.

Recently, the U.S. seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s plane in the Dominican Republic over violations of the U.S. sanctions, which the Venezuelan government criticized as an act of piracy.

On the other hand, the U.S. has denounced Venezuela’s contentious presidential election in July, accusing it of fraud and a lack of transparency.

The incident marks the third detention of a U.S. service member. U.S. Army Private Travis King was arrested in North Korea in July 2023, and U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Gordon Black was sentenced in Russia earlier this year.

The U.S. State Department has long advised against travelling to Venezuela, referring to the risks of unlawful arrest and restricted access to U.S. citizen prisoners.

Reference: Reuters, CNN