A U.S. Navy sailor has been detained in Venezuela since Friday, Aug. 30, four U.S. officials told CNN.
The sailor is being held in Caracas by the Venezuelan intelligence agency SEBIN, officials told CNN.
“We are aware of reports that a U.S. Navy Sailor was detained on or about Aug. 30, 2024, by Venezuelan law enforcement authorities while on personal travel to Venezuela,” a defense official told CNN. “The U.S. Navy is looking into this and working closely with the State Department.”
A State Department spokesman said they aware of reports of a man being detained in Venezuela, CNN reported. Another defense official told CNN the service member was not on official travel or approved leave when he went to Venezuela.
The State Department’s website warns Americans against traveling to Venezuela, designating it a Level 4 risk, its highest level.
“Do not travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws,” the State Department warning says. “Reconsider travel due to wrongful detentions, terrorism and poor health infrastructure.”
