Five behind enemy lines.
As the siege of Venezuela goes into overdrive with multiple strikes on drug boats and even the first reported attack on a land target associated with the Cartels, the Caribbean has become a veritable powder keg.
In this context, it was first reported by the New York Times (behind a paywall), that at least five Americans are being detained right now in Venezuela.
The New York Post reported:
“James Luckey-Lange, 28, of Staten Island, is among the recently US citizens imprisoned in Venezuela, with the New Yorker deemed to be wrongfully detained.”
“Luckey-Lange, whose family reported him missing earlier this month, disappeared soon after entering Venezuela’s border as part of a long trip across Latin America that was inspired by the death of his mother, musician Diane Luckey.”
Number of Americans detained in Venezuela has risen since US increased pressure on regime: Report https://t.co/x543Pz0meZ
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) December 31, 2025
NEW from @nytimes: Venezuela has detained at least 5 Americans since Trump’s military escalation against Maduro. One is James Luckey-Lange, 28, who entered Venezuela from Guyana. US officials have discussed whether he and another detainee should be labeled unlawful detainees. pic.twitter.com/uEzDMdIdqO
— Edward Wong (@ewong) December 31, 2025
“It’s unclear if Luckey-Lange entered Venezuela with a visa, with the grieving son writing on his blog earlier this month that he planned to research gold mining near the Guyana-Venezuela border.
He was last heard from on Dec. 8, when he informed his family that he was heading to Caracas to catch a flight home to New York on Dec. 12.”
A year ago, in February 2025, Domald J. Trump – via his envoy Richard Grenell – secured the release of six ‘hostages’ from Venezuela.
But now it’s a different ball game.
BREAKING | President Trump’s envoy @RichardGrenell just departed Venezuela with six Americans who were taken hostage by Nicolas Maduro’s regime under Biden’s tenure pic.twitter.com/Q9Tsg6t357
— VOZ (@Voz_US) February 1, 2025
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