“We’re obviously in touch, as appropriate, as you’d think we would be, with Venezuelan authorities to try and get more knowledge and information about this,” Kirby said during a news briefing. The U.S. Navy is coordinating with the State Department to learn more about the situation.
No Further Details
The sailor was reportedly detained around August 30, but it is unclear why they were in Venezuela or if they are facing any charges. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller declined to provide further details about the case, the Washington Post reported.
This incident comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas. A Venezuelan judge recently issued an arrest warrant for Edmundo González, who, according to the Washington Post, is recognized by the U.S. and other countries as the legitimate winner of the July 28 presidential election. The State Department criticized the warrant, calling it a "politically motivated action" by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
US Citizens Were Warned
The U.S. State Department has long advised against travel to Venezuela due to security concerns and complicated diplomatic relations. According to the Washington Post, the department has warned that U.S. citizens have been detained there for long periods without notification to the U.S. government.
This detention is one of several recent diplomatic challenges involving U.S. service members, including incidents involving a soldier arrested in Russia and another who fled to North Korea, as reported by the Washington Post.
