US service member detained in Venezuela, officials say
CNN
A US service member has been detained in Venezuela, according to four US officials familiar with the matter.
A US service member has been detained in Venezuela, according to four US officials familiar with the matter. The service member, a US Navy sailor, is a US citizen and was detained on August 30 in Caracas, according to the officials. One of the officials said he is being held by the Venezuelan intelligence agency SEBIN. A defense official told CNN, “we are aware of reports that a US 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 looking into this and working closely with the State Department. We refer you to the State Department for additional questions.” Another official said the service member was not on official travel or approved leave when he traveled to the country. It is not clear why he traveled there. “We are aware of reports of the detention of an individual in Venezuela,” a State Department spokesperson said. “We have no further information to share at this time,” the spokesperson said.
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