US Denies Man Arrested in Venezuela Is a Spy

State Department says no involvement in efforts to destabilize nation

The United States denied Friday that a US national arrested in Venezula was a spy tasked with sowing civil unrest throughout the country, as claimed by Caracas.

The alleged agent, Timothy Hallet Tracy, was detained Wednesday at an airport near Caracas as he tried to leave the country, according to Venezuelan officials, who also released pictures of the American.

"We are aware of the arrest of a US citizen in Caracas… Because of privacy considerations, we're unable to comment on the specific case further at this time," said State Department deputy spokesman Patrick Ventrell.