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Traveler's Nightmare: Detained and Abused in Venezuela

3/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

James Luckey-Lange, 28, aimed to visit every country in continental America and crossed from Brazil into Venezuela on December 7 despite U.S. warnings about the regime and the risk of arbitrary detention.
Luckey-Lange was detained the next day and endured more than a month of mistreatment, including beatings, starvation, and a sham online trial.
His experience contrasts with his initial belief that random crime was the primary danger in Venezuela.

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Story summary

James Luckey-Lange, 28, aimed to visit every country in continental America and crossed from Brazil into Venezuela on December 7 despite U.S. warnings about the regime and the risk of arbitrary detention.
Luckey-Lange was detained the next day and endured more than a month of mistreatment, including beatings, starvation, and a sham online trial.
His experience contrasts with his initial belief that random crime was the primary danger in Venezuela.