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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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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. )
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? )
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
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
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. )
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? )
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)
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? )
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
To: nwrep
No good reason for Americans to be there. They look like clean cut family guys to me...
To: nickcarraway
The leftists now have someone new to cheer for.
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….)
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.)
To: 4Runner
I think most of them voted for Trump
15
posted on
01/02/2026 1:55:55 AM PST
by
piasa
(Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
To: nickcarraway
They picked the wrong president to try this s*%@ with. It won't end well for Maduro et. al.
16
posted on
01/02/2026 2:16:53 AM PST
by
nuke_road_warrior
(Making the world safe for Nuclear Power for over 20 years.)
To: nickcarraway
What are Americans doing in Venezuela period. It’s a communist dictatorship so they’re not America’s problem.
17
posted on
01/02/2026 4:09:38 AM PST
by
maddog55
(The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
To: nickcarraway
Venezuelan authorities report that one of the hostages goes by the name “Hunter B. Tweekin”.
To: frank ballenger
"Venezuelans may be behind the times and believe Jimmy Carter types are still running DC."
If they're that far behind the times, however unlikely, then they're in for a big surprise...Like never before!
19
posted on
01/02/2026 4:15:21 AM PST
by
equaviator
(Nobody's perfect. That's why they put pencils on erasers!)
To: 4Runner
I see what you did there. If I were in charge, there would be a solution. People would be shocked, but Venezuela would capitulate.
20
posted on
01/02/2026 4:16:03 AM PST
by
MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
(Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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