Detention comes amid tensions over Venezuela’s disputed election, with US seizing President Maduro’s plane this week.

Venezuelan authorities have detained a United States Navy sailor who was travelling in the Latin American country, according to Pentagon officials.

White House national security spokesperson, John Kirby, confirmed on Wednesday that “a US service member” had been detained. He said that Washington was trying to get more information from Venezuelan authorities.

“We’re obviously in touch as appropriate, as you would be, with Venezuelan authorities to try to get more knowledge,” Kirby said. He added it was his “understanding that this individual was on some sort of personal travel and not official government business”.

Two defence officials also told the Reuters news agency the sailor had travelled to Venezuela on personal leave and had not gotten the required authorisation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity and declined to provide further details.

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