As the Donald Trump U.S. administration has blockaded oil tankers in waters near Venezuela, heightening tensions between the two countries, Venezuela has recently detained U.S. citizens one after another.
On the 31st of last month (local time), the New York Times (NYT), citing sources, reported that Venezuelan authorities arrested at least five U.S. citizens. Of these, at least two were said to have been wrongfully detained by Venezuelan authorities without clear cause.
Some say the Nicolás Maduro government in Venezuela could use U.S. detainees as bargaining chips. Earlier, right after the launch of its second term, the Trump administration sent Richard Grenell to Venezuela as a special envoy and secured the release of 17 U.S. citizens and permanent residents who were being held.
However, as the Trump administration recently ramped up pressure on Venezuela, it appears the Venezuelan government has halted releases and moved to detain Americans. Since early last month, the Trump administration has conducted military operations in waters near Venezuela and suggested it could expand them to ground operations.
James Stavridis, a retired U.S. Navy admiral who served as a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commander, said, "President Maduro is taking a dangerous gamble against the Trump administration," and noted, "It will only invite additional pressure from the Trump administration, with little chance of extracting concessions."