American Detained in Venezuela After Journey of Grief

A New York City resident held in Venezuela was reportedly the son of a well-known musician. His journey across South America was meant to help him cope with his mother’s death, according to his aunt.

James Lackey-Lang, a 28-year-old from Staten Island, wrapped up his two-year journey of self-discovery in December. He told his aunt, Abby Lackey, that he was looking forward to reuniting with family for a Christmas cruise.

This reunion was to follow a trip he took in 2022 after the passing of his mother, Q. Lazarus, who’s best known for her song “Goodbye Horses” from the 1991 film “The Silence of the Lambs.”

However, on December 12, as he was preparing to leave Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, things took a drastic turn.

Instead of heading home, he became one of five Americans currently imprisoned in Venezuela amid escalating tensions between Caracas and Washington.

His last conversation with his aunt took place on December 8, when he expressed excitement about returning for the Christmas cruise on December 14.

By December 21, when Lackey returned from the cruise, she still hadn’t heard from him. “At that point, we knew something was wrong,” she recalled.

As the family sought answers, they turned to the New York Times for help. A reporter informed Lackey that her nephew was among those wrongly imprisoned.

She stated that she hadn’t received any updates about his situation from him or U.S. authorities. “I don’t think I’ll stop feeling anxious until I can talk to him again,” said Lackey.

Describing her nephew as a “free spirit,” she mentioned his lifelong dream of exploring the Amazon rainforest firsthand.

Lackey-Lang began his expedition following the loss of his mother in July 2022. His aunt noted that this loss was compounded by the death of his father, which left him heartbroken. The trip to South America was intended as a form of healing.

“He was ready to come home and settle down,” she said, indicating that he planned to reside in his mother’s hometown in New Jersey.

“He’s been through so much grief,” Lackey added. “He’s not at peace, and he won’t be until he’s back home.”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been known to utilize detained Americans as bargaining tools in negotiations with the U.S., regardless of the legitimacy of their charges.

Reports from former detainees reveal troubling accounts of mistreatment within Venezuela’s prison system, where accusations of a lack of due process are common.