Two US citizens arrested in Venezuela over alleged involvement in a failed attempted coup have been named by a former US soldier behind the operation.
Florida-based Jordan Goudreau, an ex-Green Beret, said Luke Denman and Aaron Berry were part of Operation Gideon aimed at “liberating Venezuela” by arresting President Nicolas Maduro.
The operation, on Sunday, was allegedly financed by US-backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, according to Mr Goudreau.
Mr Guaido denies the claim.
Image:
The two men were identified as Luke Denman and Aaron Berry by Jordan Goudreau, who said he organised the mission
Eight people were killed at a beach near the port city of La Guaira – near the capital Caracas – during the foiled operation.
Eight others – including Mr Denman and Mr Berry – were arrested following the aborted raid.
Footage said to show people detained after the raid was posted on Twitter and broadcast on state television.
:: Listen to Died States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
During a televised address, Mr Maduro said authorities arrested 13 “terrorists” involved in the plot.
He showed what he said were US passports and other identification cards belonging to Mr Berry and Mr Denman.
“They were playing Rambo,” he said. “They were playing hero.”
Image:
Eight of the attackers were killed in the incident, Venezuela’s government said
Mr Goudreau, who runs a security company called Sivercorps USA, identified himself as the organiser of the operation and told Reuters that Mr Berry and Mr Denman were involved.
Venezuelan officials have accused the US and neighbouring Colombia, from where the mercenaries set out in boats, of being behind the attempted coup.
Both countries have denied the allegations. The US State Department has also not commented on alleged involvement by US citizens.
Image:
Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido (L) and President Nicolas Maduro
Venezuela’s attorney general Tarek William Saab said forces have arrested 114 people suspected in the attempted attack and they are searching for 92 others. More than 25,000 troops are helping hunt for other rebels operating in the country, officials have said.
The US has imposed tough economic sanctions against Venezuela in an effort to oust Mr Maduro, who is accused of rigging elections in 2018.
