Jordan Goudreau, a former Green Beret implicated in a failed raid to oust Venezuelan President Maduro in 2020, has publicly blamed the CIA and FBI for thwarting his efforts. His defense asserts he had backing from the Trump administration, despite U.S. officials denying any involvement. Goudreau, facing weapons smuggling charges, awaits trial as details of his alleged plot continue to unfold.
In a recent court appearance, Jordan Goudreau, a former Green Beret entangled in a failed attempt to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2020, boldly accused the CIA and FBI of undermining his mission. His attorneys claim he had authorization from senior officials within the Trump administration. Goudreau, arrested for weapons smuggling, revealed in court filings that he believed he had government support for what he described as “Operation Gideon.” This operation ultimately resulted in fatalities among combatants and imprisonment for two of Goudreau’s associates in Venezuela.
As Goudreau presented his grievances on social media, he employed sarcasm, congratulating the intelligence agencies for their alleged interference that allowed Maduro to assume a third presidential term amid ongoing international criticism of his election. While Goudreau asserts that his operations were sanctioned at a high level, the U.S. government has consistently denied involvement in the plot. The former Green Beret’s legal team contends that he was unfairly targeted and that his motives were misrepresented by officials allegedly fearful of his capabilities.
Additionally, Goudreau’s attorneys maintained that he was recruited by Keith Schiller, a former bodyguard to Donald Trump, for covert actions against Maduro. They argued that Schiller facilitated a meeting with aides of Juan Guaidó, Venezuela’s opposition leader, who had expressed a desire to eliminate Maduro. However, Guaidó’s team severed ties with Goudreau months prior to the raid, citing concerns about his stability and lack of genuine support from the U.S. government.
The legal ramifications for Goudreau continue to unfold as he pledges his innocence, drawing parallels between his situation and the legal challenges faced by the Capitol rioters on January 6, 2021. He anticipates a potential political shift that might favor his cause under a returning Trump administration. Meanwhile, conditions of his release from custody remain stringent as he awaits a trial set for April, where prosecutors plan to introduce evidence linking him to the alleged smuggling operation.
The 2020 raid planned by Jordan Goudreau was cloaked in controversy and confusion regarding its backing by U.S. government officials. In the political landscape dominated by the Trump administration’s opposition to Maduro, the failed incursion appeared to challenge the efficacy of covert operations sanctioned by the U.S. Furthermore, the event underscored the turmoil within Venezuelan politics, where Maduro, accused of authoritarianism and electoral fraud, remained a central figure, bolstered by the aftermath of the raid.
The saga of Jordan Goudreau and the botched attempt to depose Nicolás Maduro illustrates a complex interplay of personal ambition, alleged government support, and the repercussions of clandestine military operations. Goudreau’s accusations against the CIA and FBI, coupled with the denials from U.S. officials, paint a picture of a disjointed plan that not only failed but also impacted international perceptions of U.S. involvement in Venezuela. As he prepares for trial, Goudreau’s future and the consequences of “Operation Gideon” remain uncertain.
Original Source: apnews.com
