Venezuela detains U.S. sailor, officials say

American citizen went ashore in restricted area

A U.S. sailor was detained by Venezuelan authorities after going ashore in a restricted area, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

The sailor, whose name has not been released, was detained by Venezuelan officials on Sunday after going ashore in a restricted area in the city of Puerto Cabello, according to a U.S. official.

Sailor was on leave from ship

The sailor was on leave from a U.S. Navy ship that was conducting exercises in the Caribbean Sea, the official said.

The U.S. is in contact with Venezuelan officials and is working to secure the sailor's release, the official said.

Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the sailor was detained for "violating the country's territorial waters."

The ministry said the sailor "was immediately taken into custody and is being questioned by the authorities."

The U.S. Embassy in Caracas is providing consular assistance to the sailor, the State Department said.