US detains Venezuela's Foreign Minister at airport

CARACAS - The United States has apologised after Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Nicholas Maduro, was detained at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York while flying home.

A State Department spokesman said the US regretted the incident.

Venezuelan television said Maduro was stopped for an hour and a half and stripped of his travel documents.

"This is a provocation from Mr Devil," said President Hugo Chavez, referring to US President George W. Bush.

- REUTERS