A U.S. Navy petty officer, who is also a former Navy SEAL, was recently arrested in Caracas, Venezuela, while on personal leave, according to multiple U.S. authorities. The arrest, which took place on August 30, 2024, has raised concerns, as the sailor was reportedly neither on authorized leave nor official military duty.
The U.S. State Department had previously issued travel warnings for Venezuela due to the risk of wrongful detentions and inadequate healthcare systems. Although the reason behind the sailor’s arrest remains undisclosed, U.S. officials, including the White House and State Department, are working closely with Venezuelan authorities to gather more information.
John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson, confirmed that communication with Venezuelan officials is ongoing. The sailor’s detention occurs amid heightened diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. Recent events, such as the U.S. seizure of President Nicolás Maduro’s plane in the Dominican Republic over sanctions violations, and accusations of fraud during Venezuela’s July 2024 presidential election, have added to the strain in relations.
This incident marks the third detention of a U.S. military service member abroad, following the arrests of U.S. Army Private Travis King in North Korea in 2023 and Staff Sergeant Gordon Black in Russia earlier this year. The State Department continues to advise against travel to Venezuela due to the risks of unlawful detainment and the challenges faced by U.S. citizens in the country.
