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Venezuela Has Detained Several Americans as Tensions With US Rise
Yahoo News! ^ | Thu, January 1, 2026 | Kylie Atwood, Sean Lyngaas,

Posted on 01/01/2026 10:18:00 PM PST by nickcarraway

Venezuelan security forces have detained at least five Americans in recent months as the US has built a pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a US official familiar with the matter told CNN.

The circumstances of the individual cases vary, and some could have been involved in drug smuggling, the official said. US officials are still collecting information about what the Americans were doing in Venezuela and at the time of their detention, the official added.

Trump administration officials believe that the Maduro regime is detaining the Americans to build leverage against the US, the official said, as the pressure campaign against the Venezuelan leader — including the US strikes on drug boats, a CIA strike on Venezuelan port facility and recent oil blockade — has intensified in recent months.

(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: epluribusunum; foreignaffairs; maduro; seekandfind; venezuela
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1 posted on 01/01/2026 10:18:00 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Here we go. One American hostage will be released from Venezuela when one drug boat is allowed through to the US for a delivery.

We should make the Israelis look like Quakers if that happens.


2 posted on 01/01/2026 10:23:16 PM PST by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: frank ballenger
Yep, the inevitable taking of hostages has begun.

Bad move, this time.

3 posted on 01/01/2026 10:27:16 PM PST by thescourged1 (Rush, is it time to panic yet? )
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To: frank ballenger

“Here we go. One American hostage will be released from Venezuela when one drug boat is allowed through to the US for a delivery.”

That would work with a Democrat. I think it will be playing into Trump’s hands. Think “We want Perdicaris alive or Raisuli Dead.”


4 posted on 01/01/2026 10:27:51 PM PST by rxh4n1
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To: nickcarraway

I bet they are all drug dealers. No good reason for Americans to be there. Hang them.


5 posted on 01/01/2026 10:37:18 PM PST by nwrep
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To: thescourged1

Like the old time American classic cars all over Cuba, the Venezuelans may be behind the times and believe Jimmy Carter types are still running DC. Like the Iranians holding the blindfolded American Embassy citizens hostage while skinny guys carried out wet garbage in the American flag. 444 days until Reagan.

That will NOT go over well with Donald Trump.


6 posted on 01/01/2026 10:39:52 PM PST by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: frank ballenger
When President Trump says he wants the American CIA hostages freed or there will be hell to pay, what will Joe Scarborough's blow-up doll say when he pulls it's string?

Eat another 80/20 sangwich lefties, you cain't help yourselves.

7 posted on 01/01/2026 11:18:06 PM PST by Kudsman (Illusions for everybody. How about a nice rousing game of Apathy and Detachment? )
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To: Kudsman

A significant number of Venezuelans live in Florida, with estimates varying slightly by year, but generally placing the population around 330,000 to over 380,000, representing nearly half of all Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S., primarily concentrated in South Florida’s Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, as well as the Orlando area.

Just saying.


8 posted on 01/01/2026 11:24:51 PM PST by 4Runner ("I gotta join a union to get paid for loafin'?" " Sure ya do!" --Abbott & Costello)
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To: 4Runner

Do they also have daycare centers? I hope Mr. DeSantis has things in order.


9 posted on 01/01/2026 11:33:37 PM PST by Kudsman (Illusions for everybody. How about a nice rousing game of Apathy and Detachment? )
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To: nickcarraway

It was pretty dumb of them to be there to begin with.


10 posted on 01/01/2026 11:41:11 PM PST by roving
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To: nwrep
No good reason for Americans to be there.

They look like clean cut family guys to me...


11 posted on 01/02/2026 12:00:59 AM PST by Dan Zachary
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To: nickcarraway

The leftists now have someone new to cheer for.


12 posted on 01/02/2026 12:01:27 AM PST by toddausauras (47 47 47 )
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To: nickcarraway

IOW, Venezuela took 5 Americans hostage to be used in negotiations with the US.


13 posted on 01/02/2026 12:04:03 AM PST by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus….)
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To: Dan Zachary

A bunch of Maryland dads!


14 posted on 01/02/2026 12:07:39 AM PST by PghBaldy (12/14/12- 930am -rampage begins... 12/15/12 - 1030am - Obama team scouts photo-op locations.)
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