American Relations Strained in Venezuela

Venezuelan troops seized several bags belonging to the U.S. Embassy at Simon Bolivar International Airport (SVMI/CCS) in Caracas on 24 August 2006. Reports indicate that the embassy had notified Venezuelan officials about the bags, but that more than the number reported had arrived on the aircraft, prompting the confiscations.

The bags were taken from four U.S. Embassy vehicles parked outside of the airport after they had been unloaded from a U.S. military aircraft. U.S. officials have stated that their government will lodge a protest regarding Venezuela’s actions, which they claim “violated diplomatic and international laws." The contents of the bags have not been confirmed; Venezuelan officials claim that they contained supplies for the Venezuelan military, while U.S. officials have stated that they were carrying the personal possessions of embassy personnel. The incident is expected to increase already heightened tensions between the two countries.