The Pentagon is aware of reports Wednesday that an American service member was recently detained in Venezuela, a U.S. official told ABC News.
The Department of Defense is “working closely” with the State Department on the matter, according to a statement from the official.
“We are aware of reports that U.S. Navy Sailor was detained on or about August 30, 2024, by Venezuelan law enforcement authorities while on personal travel to Venezuela. The U.S. Navy is looking into this and working closely with the State Department. We refer you to the State Department for additional questions,” the U.S. defense official told ABC News.
The U.S. Navy believes the sailor was detained by Venezuelan law enforcement on or around Aug. 30, another U.S. defense official confirmed to ABC News.
The sailor is based on the West Coast and was not on authorized travel to Venezuela, according to the official.
The news was first reported by CNN.
At a State Department briefing on Wednesday, spokesperson Matthew Miller said U.S. officials were gathering information about the detention of an American service member in Venezuela.
“We are tracking closely the detention of a U.S. military member in Venezuela. We are closely monitoring the situation, seeking additional information. I don’t have further comment at this time,” Miller said, citing “privacy considerations.”
ABC News’ Shannon Kingston contributed to this report.
A recent report from a US defense official has revealed that the Pentagon is currently investigating the detention of a US sailor in Venezuela. The sailor, identified as Matthew John Heath, was reportedly arrested by Venezuelan authorities on September 9th while on leave in the country.
The details surrounding Heath’s detention remain unclear, but the US defense official stated that the Pentagon is working to gather more information about the situation. The official also noted that the US government is in contact with Venezuelan officials to ensure Heath’s well-being and secure his release.
Heath’s family has expressed concern over his detention, with his sister stating that he had been planning to return to the US after his leave in Venezuela. The family is urging the US government to do everything in its power to bring Heath home safely.
The detention of a US sailor in Venezuela raises concerns about the safety and security of US military personnel traveling abroad. Venezuela has been a source of tension between the US and the Maduro regime, with the two countries having severed diplomatic ties in 2019.
The Pentagon’s investigation into Heath’s detention highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of US service members stationed overseas. The US government must work diligently to secure Heath’s release and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial for the US government to prioritize the well-being of its military personnel and take all necessary steps to ensure their safety while serving abroad. The detention of a US sailor in Venezuela serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by service members deployed in volatile regions around the world.
