The detention came amid tensions over Venezuela’s disputed elections after the US seized President Maduro’s plane this week.
According to Pentagon officials, Venezuelan authorities have arrested a U.S. Navy sailor who was in the Latin American country.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby confirmed on Wednesday that “a US soldier” had been arrested. He said Washington was trying to get more information from Venezuelan authorities.
“We are, of course, as you would, in appropriate contact with the Venezuelan authorities to obtain more information,” Kirby said, adding that it was his “understanding that this individual was on some sort of private trip and not on official government business.”
Two defense officials also told Reuters the sailor had traveled to Venezuela for personal reasons and had not received the necessary authorization. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity and declined to provide further details.
A spokesman for the US State Department also said they were closely monitoring the situation.
The arrest comes amid rising tensions over Venezuela’s disputed elections, with several countries, including the United States, rejecting President Nicolás Maduro’s claims that he won the election.
Several countries, including the United States and Argentina, even went so far as to recognize Maduro’s opponent Edmundo González as the winner of the presidential election in July.
On Monday, US authorities seized a plane allegedly purchased for Maduro’s personal use, citing a violation of sanctions imposed by Washington. Maduro’s government condemned the seizure as “piracy.”
Hours later, Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, accusing him of conspiracy and other crimes. The United States condemned the move, as did several other countries in the Americas.
Several active members of the US military have been arrested abroad in recent years.
Earlier this year, 34-year-old U.S. soldier Gordon Black was arrested while traveling to Russia to visit his girlfriend. Russian authorities sentenced Black to three years and nine months in prison in June after his girlfriend accused him of stealing from her. He remains on active duty in the Army but is not paid.
Last year, private Travis King fled to North Korea during a civilian visit to the Military Demarcation Line on the border with South Korea. King, who was already facing military disciplinary action, was arrested by North Korean authorities and later released to the United States.
His lawyer said last week he would plead guilty to five charges, including desertion.
The US also recently conducted a prisoner exchange with Venezuela.
In December, US authorities released a close ally of Maduro, Alex Saab, in exchange for the release of 10 imprisoned US citizens and a fugitive defence contractor who was at the centre of a massive bribery scandal at the Pentagon.
