Americans Detained in Venezuela as US Pressure Intensifies

Several American citizens have been detained in Venezuela as the Trump administration builds U.S. military and economic pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

The New York Times reported the detentions were confirmed by an unnamed administration source.

The detentions began after the Trump administration launched a renewed pressure campaign targeting Venezuela's leadership and key economic sectors.

According to the source, some detainees face criminal charges under Venezuelan law, while the U.S. government is considering designating at least two cases as wrongful detentions.

Those detained include three Venezuelan American citizens and two Americans with no known prior ties to Venezuela.

Venezuela previously detained Americans during periods of diplomatic tension. The U.S. accused the Maduro government of using foreign detainees as leverage in negotiations with Washington.

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