Deference to Americans? Nope, you go to someone else’s country you obey the laws or suffer the consequences. No deference because Americans think they are entitled to special treatment.
That said, this law is far too harsh when it was an innocent mistake.
No, I believe in Pax Americana. And no one touches Americans. In the interest of good and continued relations, they should immediately release him as it is clear it was unintentional and doing otherwise is disrespectful to the US and US citizens. If not, the US should block commerce and travel to/from the place. If they don’t like it, let’s see how they like not having US commerce and travel to/from.