Venezuela Detains Several Americans as U.S. Steps Up Pressure on Maduro

Venezuelan security forces have detained several Americans in the months since the Trump administration launched a military and economic pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro, a U.S. official said. Some detainees face criminal charges, while U.S. officials are considering designating at least two as wrongfully detained.

The arrests include three Venezuelan-American dual passport holders and two U.S. citizens with no known ties to the country, the official said. Venezuela has a history of detaining Americans and using them as bargaining chips with Washington. President Trump, who has prioritized freeing Americans held overseas, sent his envoy Richard Grenell to Venezuela to negotiate a prisoner deal days after the start of his second term.

The United States recently escalated pressure by targeting tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, disrupting the country's primary export. Current and former commanders warned that the detention of Americans could complicate U.S. military operations in the region. “Maduro is playing with fire trying this approach with the Trump administration,” said retired Admiral James Stavridis.

“It will only spur Trump to further escalate and is unlikely to cause him to back down in the least.” The identities of most detainees remain unknown. One of the men believed to be held is James Luckey-Lange, 28, of Staten Island, N.Y., who was reported missing after crossing Venezuela’s southern border in early December.

Key Topics

Crypto, United States, World, Venezuela, U.s. Policy, Detentions, Human Rights