Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Venezuela attack: Former US special forces soldier says he led botched plot to overthrow President Maduro

Jordan Goudreau said he directed the secret military operation with the backing of Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido.

A former US special forces soldier has claimed responsibility for a failed attempt to invade Venezuela in a plot to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro.

Jordan Goudreau, a former Army Green Beret, said he directed the secret military operation with the backing of Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido in the anti-Maduro coup called "Operation Gideon".

Venezuela's government said it had killed at least eight of the attackers and arrested two others from the attack on Sunday involving a group of armed men.

The incident took place in La Guaira, about 20 miles from Caracas, and is understood to have launched from neighbouring Colombia.

"A group of terrorist mercenaries, organised and trained in Colombia, tried to disembark with war material off the coast of La Guaira," a statement released by the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) read.

Socialist party chief Diosdado Cabello said on state television that the attack was carried out by Colombia with US backing in a plot to overthrow Mr Maduro, whose presidency has been under dispute since last year.

Mr Goudreau and Javier Nieto, a retired Venezuela captain, posted a video from an undisclosed location saying they had launched the attack.

An investigation by the Associated Press found that the pair had been working to train dozens of deserting Venezuelan soldiers at secret camps inside Colombia.

The goal was to mount a cross-border raid that would end in Mr Maduro's arrest.

Both men, who live in Florida, declined to speak to journalists on Sunday.

Wearing a New York Yankees baseball cap, Mr Goudreau says in the video: "A daring amphibious raid was launched from the border of Colombia deep into the heart of Caracas".

He stands next to Mr Nieto in the clip, who is dressed in an armoured vest with a rolled-up Venezuelan flag pinned to his shoulder.

Mr Goudreau claimed that cells of his men were still on the ground and activating inside Venezuela, and said he hoped to join the rebels soon.

He also invited Venezuelans and Mr Maduro's troops to join the would-be insurgency.

In an interview with Miami-based journalist Patricia Poleo, Mr Goudreau provided a contradictory account of his activities.

He also spoke about the support he allegedly had - and then lost - from Mr Guaido.

Mr Maduro is believed to have rigged the last elections, and some 60 countries, including the US, now recognise Mr Guaido as Venezuela's interim president.

Mr Goudreau also revealed what he claimed was an eight-page contract signed by Mr Guaido and two political advisers for alleged "general services".

Venezuela's interior minister Nestor Reverol had described the attackers as "mercenary terrorists" who were threatening to destabilise the country's institutions and creating "chaos".

He said the defensive operation was ongoing and there could be further arrests in the coming days.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×