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James Luckey-Lange, a 28-year-old from New York, recounts a harrowing experience of over a month in Venezuelan detention, marked by beatings, deprivation of food, and accusations of espionage. His release came on January 13, coinciding with the capture of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. Special operations forces, a development that dramatically altered the landscape of U.S.-Venezuela relations. Luckey-Lange’s story offers a chilling glimpse into what has become a pattern of arbitrary detention of Americans in Venezuela, used as political leverage by the Maduro regime.
“I thought they were just going to execute me. That was the scariest time,” Luckey-Lange told CNN, describing the fear he felt during his captivity. Beyond the immediate threat of violence, he expressed frustration and anger at the ordeal. Now back at his aunt’s home in New Jersey, Luckey-Lange is focused on locating the families of his former prison mates, many of whom he only knew by names carved into a bar of soap he smuggled out of the detention facility.
Luckey-Lange’s detention underscores a broader trend: dozens of Americans have been arrested and detained in Venezuela in recent years, often on dubious charges, as part of a strategy by the former Venezuelan leader to use U.S. Citizens as bargaining chips. The capture of Maduro in early January by President Donald Trump’s administration marked an unprecedented shift in the dynamic between the two countries, ultimately leading to Luckey-Lange’s freedom.
Solitary Confinement and Accusations of Espionage
The conditions of Luckey-Lange’s detention were severe. He spent significant periods in solitary confinement at a counterintelligence facility, where he was subjected to physical abuse and denied food for days. He described being repeatedly beaten and re-handcuffed after managing to loosen his restraints. The Foro Penal, a Venezuelan human rights organization, confirmed that Luckey-Lange was held at a facility run by the DGCIM, Venezuela’s intelligence service.
Authorities accused Luckey-Lange of being a spy, a claim he vehemently denies. He stated that officials pointed to his hiking boots as evidence of military affiliation and even fabricated evidence, drawing maps of roads and military bases in his notebook to bolster their case. “Whatever I said, they didn’t believe me because they really wanted to catch a spy,” he explained. “Everyone wanted to travel home and tell their wives, their superiors, that they had caught a spy.”
A Search for Lost Connections
Despite the trauma he endured, Luckey-Lange is determined to reconnect with those he was imprisoned with. Unable to clearly notice many of his fellow detainees during his time in custody, he carved their names into a bar of soap as a way to remember them. He is now using Facebook to search for their families, hoping to provide them with reassurance that their loved ones are alive. “I hope they don’t think I’m up there getting tortured right now,” he said. “I hope they know I got out.”
Luckey-Lange’s fellow prisoners came from various countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. He recalls the desperation and uncertainty shared among them. He expressed a surprising sentiment, stating he doesn’t regret traveling to Venezuela, believing he “learned something” and “saw what was really happening” there, even amidst the hardship.
The Broader Context of U.S.-Venezuela Relations
The circumstances surrounding Luckey-Lange’s release are inextricably linked to the dramatic events of early January. The U.S. Operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, whereas unprecedented, reflects a long-standing effort by the U.S. Government to address the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The capture of Maduro, and the subsequent installation of a new government, created a window of opportunity for the release of detained Americans. CNN reported on the details of Luckey-Lange’s release and the broader context of U.S.-Venezuela relations.
While Luckey-Lange has returned home, the fate of other Americans still detained in Venezuela remains uncertain. The situation highlights the ongoing risks faced by U.S. Citizens traveling to the country and the complex geopolitical challenges involved in securing their release. The new Venezuelan government will likely face continued pressure from the U.S. To address human rights concerns and ensure the safety of all individuals within its borders.
As Luckey-Lange continues his search for his former prison mates’ families, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of political instability and the resilience of the human spirit. Share this story to raise awareness about the plight of those still detained and the ongoing challenges in U.S.-Venezuela relations.
