On May 4, 2020, in Venezuela they could not believe what was circulating on social networks and national television: a group of Venezuelan and American mercenaries was captured on the coast of Macuto, an hour and a half from Caracas. These were supposed men who tried to enter by sea to capture Nicolás Maduro and hand him over to the United States in what became known as “Operation Gideon.”
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Four years later, the survivors – at least eight insurrectionists were murdered – were sentenced to sentences of up to 30 years in prison. Among the prisoners, for example, there is Josnars Adolfo Baduelson of General Raúl Baduel, a long-time ally of Hugo Chávez who became a dissident and died in prison in 2021.
The incursion was infiltrated from the beginning and Chavismo always knew it
Cabello stated that Jordan Goudreaua former Green Beret leader Silver Corp, was the one carrying out the operation, of which it was not yet known how it would be executed, which later raised the question: if Chavismo always knew, why did the plan go ahead? So far, there is no answer to the question.
(Also read: Up to 30 years in prison for those convicted of ‘Operation Gedeón’, an armed raid against Nicolás Maduro)
On May 4, 2020, images showed several of those detained, including two Americans sentenced to 20 years in the case. Is about Luke Denman and Airan Berry who last year were released from prison and handed over to their country in the prisoner exchange that led to the release of Colombian Álex Saab.
“I was infiltrated,” Guaidó said some time later in an interview with cnnalthough he denied participation in the operation.
“We have been investigating this case for days (…). “It was infiltrated a long time ago,” said Diosdado Cabello, for his part.
Colombia, the epicenter of the conspiracy
Finally, former Chavista dissident general Clíver Alcalá Cordones surrendered to the United States and assured that in Colombia – where he lived – he served to plan the incursion and train the operators who were former Venezuelan dissident military personnel.
“We formed a military unit with the idea of liberating the country,” Alcalá said in a video from his home.
It was also learned that the idea “was not to attack Maduro but to capture regime figures,” according to several of those involved.
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Those sentenced for Operation Gideon
Among them are Colonel Oscar Pérez Romero, First Lieutenant Richard Alemán; Captain Dimas Murillo; Angelo Rosales; Captain Franklin Leal; Captain Carlos Arturo Rosario; Josnar Baduel; Captain Leonardo Briceño; Captain Francisco Luna; Gerardo Goitichea, Karen Hernández; Captain Elías Felipe César, Tony Guevara and Captain Renny Olivares.
For the crimes of financing terrorism, treason and association to commit a crime, 30 years in prison for Fránklin Durán, Alejandro Torres, Justo Daza and
Alfredo Schiavo.
For the crimes of conspiracy and association to commit a crime, 21 years in prison for Carla da Silva, Leonardo Carillo, Leonardo Chirinos, Ana María Pernía, Andreina Alemán, Yolimar Alemán de Chaya, Erick Chaya, Franchier Ramos and Mary Francés Marcano.
ANA MARÍA RODRÍGUEZ BRAZÓN – EL TIEMPO CORRESPONDENT – CARACAS
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