<2>US Veteran Flee’s Ahead of US Trial Over Failed 2020 Maduro Ouster Plot
<3>Background and Charges
The US veteran, Jordan Goudreau, is accused of leading a failed plot to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in 2020. Goudreau, a former US Army Special Forces operative, allegedly collaborated with a group of Venezuelan opposition leaders and Colombian mercenaries to carry out the operation.
Bloomberg reported that the plot involved a group of about 60 mercenaries who were flown into Venezuela on May 3, 2020, on a private plane. However, the operation was quickly foiled by Venezuelan security forces, and several of the mercenaries were killed or captured.
Goudreau and his co-defendant, Anthony Smith, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison.