Venezuela Accused of 'Hostage Diplomacy' Amid Rising Foreign Detentions

Caracas – Venezuela is facing increasing international condemnation as reports indicate a growing number of foreign nationals are being arbitrarily detained, a practice critics are labeling "hostage diplomacy." These detentions, often followed by accusations of terrorism or espionage, are perceived as a tactic by the Venezuelan government to gain leverage in international negotiations and prisoner exchanges.Daniel Di Martino, a Venezuelan-American economist and vocal critic of the Maduro regime, issued a stark warning on social media, stating: > "Venezuela's regime threatens to kidnap foreigners who travel to Venezuela. Do not go to Venezuela." Di Martino, a PhD candidate at Columbia University and a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, draws on his personal experience of leaving Venezuela in 2016 due to the country's deteriorating conditions.Human rights organizations corroborate these concerns, documenting over 70 cases of foreign nationals detained as of April 2025. Gonzalo Himiob, director of the human rights group Foro Penal, highlighted the strategic nature of these arrests: "The idea of capturing foreigners is to use them later in an effort to force their home countries to accept conditions in negotiations or to trade them." These detentions frequently involve limited access to legal counsel and a lack of transparency regarding the detainees' whereabouts.The U.S. State Department has issued its highest travel advisory for Venezuela, warning of "severe risks" including "wrongful detention, torture while in custody, kidnapping and other threats." The advisory explicitly states that "Every American is at risk of being detained by Maduro's regime," regardless of dual citizenship or visa status. The Canadian government similarly advises against all travel to Venezuela, citing significant violent crime, political instability, and the risk of arbitrary detention.Recent high-profile cases underscore these warnings. In January 2025, President Nicolás Maduro claimed the detention of over 150 foreign "mercenaries" from 25 countries, asserting their confessions. Human Rights Watch has documented instances of "enforced disappearances" of foreign nationals, with authorities withholding information and denying consular access. Notably, in January 2025, Edmundo Gonzalez, a Venezuelan opposition candidate, reported the "kidnapping" of his son-in-law by masked men in Caracas.The pattern of detentions, often followed by charges of terrorism or conspiracy, aligns with a broader strategy of using individuals as bargaining chips. This approach has been observed in past prisoner swaps, where foreign nationals were exchanged for Venezuelan officials or allies held abroad. This "hostage diplomacy" tactic further isolates Venezuela and intensifies calls from international bodies for greater accountability and respect for human rights.