This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
On May 3, 2020, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the capture of 13 individuals, including two US citizens, in connection with a foiled coup attempt.
According to Maduro, the two Americans, Airan Berry and Luke Denman, were employees of Silvercorp, a Florida-based security company. Maduro displayed their passports and identification cards during a state television address.
The owner of Silvercorp, Jordan Goudreau, a retired Green Beret, and a retired Venezuelan army captain, Javier Nieto, had earlier claimed responsibility for the failed incursion in a video posted on social media. They referred to the operation as 'Operation Gedeon' and stated that it had been successfully launched 'deep into the heart of Caracas.'
However, there was no evidence of fighting in Caracas or elsewhere in Venezuela after the reported incursion, which officials said had been repulsed.
Maduro and his officials have repeatedly denounced coup and assassination attempts in recent years, with some of the assertions later proving to be true.
According to Luke Denman's mother, Kay, she last heard from her son a few weeks ago when he texted her from an undisclosed location to ask how she was coping with the coronavirus pandemic.
