US Citizen Recounts Torture and Imprisonment in Venezuela

James Luckey-Lange details harrowing 1-month detention marked by beatings and deprivation

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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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.

Why it matters

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. His release underscores the broader challenges in securing the safety of U.S. citizens traveling to the country amidst ongoing political instability.

The details

Luckey-Lange spent significant periods in solitary confinement at a counterintelligence facility, where he was subjected to physical abuse and denied food for days. Authorities accused him of being a spy, pointing to his hiking boots as evidence of military affiliation and even fabricating evidence against him.

  • Luckey-Lange was detained for over a month in Venezuela.
  • He was released on January 13, 2026, coinciding with the capture of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The players

James Luckey-Lange

A 28-year-old from New York who was detained and tortured in Venezuela for over a month.

Nicolás Maduro

The former President of Venezuela who was captured by U.S. Special operations forces, leading to Luckey-Lange's release.

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What they’re saying

“I thought they were just going to execute me. That was the scariest time.”

— James Luckey-Lange (CNN)

What’s next

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.

The takeaway

Luckey-Lange's harrowing experience highlights the ongoing risks faced by U.S. citizens traveling to Venezuela and the complex geopolitical challenges involved in securing their release. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of political instability and the resilience of the human spirit.