Venezuela has allegedly detained a U.S. Navy sailor, according to multiple U.S. officials.

“One of the officials said the service member was neither on official travel nor did they have authorized leave to visit Venezuela,” the Associated Press reports.

BREAKING – US Navy sailor detained in Venezuela: US official https://t.co/pqfu1yY81E pic.twitter.com/o9ZynuUTlg

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 4, 2024

NEW: The Pentagon is aware of reports Wednesday that an American service member was recently detained in Venezuela, a U.S. official told @ABC News. https://t.co/xqipoA4mPX

— ABC News (@ABC) September 4, 2024

From the Associated Press:

A U.S. Navy sailor has been detained in Venezuela after traveling there unauthorized on personal business, the Pentagon said Wednesday. The enlisted sailor was detained last week by Venezuelan law enforcement, two defense officials said.

One of the officials said the sailor has been in Venezuelan custody since on or about Aug. 30.

“The U.S. Navy is looking into this and working closely with the State Department,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not made public, referred to the State Department for an update on the sailors’ status.

CNN reports that one of the officials said the service member is being held by the Venezuelan intelligence agency SEBIN.

CNN reports that a US Navy sailor has been arrested in Caracas on August 30th and is being held by SEBIN, it’s currently unknown why he travelled to Venezuela.#Venezuela https://t.co/odegAU62d0

— CNW (@ConflictsW) September 4, 2024

Per CNN:

Another official said the service member was not on official travel or approved leave when he traveled to the country. It is not clear why he traveled there.

“We are aware of reports of the detention of an individual in Venezuela,” a State Department spokesperson said.

“We have no further information to share at this time,” the spokesperson said.

The State Department advises Americans against traveling to Venezuela, warning that “there is a high risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals.”

“Security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years,” the travel advisory for Venezuela says. “The U.S. government is not generally notified of the detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or granted access to U.S. citizen prisoners there.”

This story is developing.