CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The top U.S. diplomat in Venezuela is urging authorities to ensure transparency in the case of a jailed American whose trial has become another sore spot in relations between the two nations.

Recently arrived charge d'affaires Todd Robinson told The Associated Press on Friday that he reminded Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza in a recent meeting of his "responsibility to guarantee transparency" in the case of Joshua Holt.

Holt traveled to Venezuela in 2016 to marry a fellow Mormon he met online and was jailed with his fiancée soon after. A judge ruled in December that he will stand trial on weapons charges.

Socialist party leader Diosdado Cabello has accused Holt of running an espionage ring.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The U.S. Embassy's top diplomat at the time was denied access to a preliminary hearing.