CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan security forces have taken into custody multiple American citizens in recent months amid rising tensions between the government of President Nicolás Maduro and the United States, according to U.S. officials and international reporting. 

At least five Americans are reported to be detained by Venezuelan authorities. Some of the individuals held include people with dual Venezuelan-American citizenship as well as U.S. citizens without known Venezuelan ties. The specific circumstances of each case vary, and U.S. officials are still gathering details about the activities of those detained at the time of their arrest. 

U.S. government sources say two of the detainees may be formally classified as wrongfully detained, while others could be facing legitimate criminal charges under Venezuelan law. Neither the U.S. State Department nor Venezuela’s government has publicly detailed the legal basis for the detentions. 

The increase in arrests of Americans follows a shift in U.S. policy toward Venezuela. After earlier negotiations between the United States and Caracas led to the release of several U.S. citizens and residents in 2025, the Trump administration moved away from diplomatic channels and intensified military and economic pressure on Maduro’s government. This campaign has included sanctions, maritime actions against Venezuelan oil shipments, and strikes on vessels Washington says are linked to drug trafficking. 

U.S. officials suspect the Venezuelan government may be detaining foreign nationals to gain diplomatic leverage amid the standoff with Washington — a tactic that has been observed in other geopolitical contexts. The State Department is evaluating the cases and considering formal designations for those believed to be wrongfully held. 

Families of some detainees, including a New Yorker who disappeared after crossing into Venezuela in December 2025, have raised concerns about the lack if consular access and updates. 

Sources: CNN, Fox News,The New York Times, New York Post