Venezuelan authorities have detained a United States Navy sailor who was traveling in the country, leading to tensions amid the disputed election in Venezuela. The sailor was reportedly on personal leave and did not have the required authorization. The US government is working to gather more information about the situation and is in touch with Venezuelan authorities. The detention comes after the US seized a plane intended for President Nicolas Maduro’s personal use, citing violations of sanctions.
The situation is escalating as several countries, including the US, have rejected Maduro’s claim of victory in the July presidential race. Maduro’s opponent, Edmundo Gonzalez, has been recognized by some countries as the winner. In response to the seizure of the plane, Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, which was condemned by the US and others.
This incident follows previous cases of US military members being detained while abroad, such as US Army soldier Gordon Black in Russia earlier this year and Army Private Travis King in North Korea last year. The US has also recently traded prisoners with Venezuela, including the release of Alex Saab in exchange for imprisoned US citizens and a defence contractor.
The situation remains tense as both countries navigate the repercussions of these detainments and political tensions. The US government continues to monitor the situation closely as developments unfold.
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