According to a CNN report on the 1st, an American official familiar with the situation said that as the US increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelan security forces have detained at least 5 Americans. The official said that the specific circumstances of each case are different, some of which may be related to drug smuggling, and that US officials are still collecting information on the activities of these US citizens in Venezuela and their circumstances of detention. According to the above officials, Trump administration officials believe that Venezuela is seizing Americans to increase bargaining chips with the US because in recent months, US pressure against Venezuelan leaders has been escalating, including attacks on “drug carriers” and oil transportation blockades.

According to a CNN report on the 1st, an American official familiar with the situation said that as the US increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelan security forces have detained at least 5 Americans. The official said that the specific circumstances of each case are different, some of which may be related to drug smuggling, and that US officials are still collecting information on the activities of these US citizens in Venezuela and their circumstances of detention. According to the above officials, Trump administration officials believe that Venezuela is seizing Americans to increase bargaining chips with the US because in recent months, US pressure against Venezuelan leaders has been escalating, including attacks on “drug carriers” and oil transportation blockades.