Two former U.S. Green Berets were sentenced by a Venezuelan court Friday to 20 years in prison for their role in a botched attack in May, aimed at toppling President Nicolás Maduro. "Operation Gideon" was launched from makeshift training camps in neighboring Colombia in early May and left at least eight rebel soldiers dead while more than 60 more were jailed. Ex-Green Beret Jordan Goudreau, who operated a Florida-based security firm called Silvercorp USA, claimed responsibility for the failed attack and had hired his two former army buddies to prepare a small cadre of deserting Venezuelan soldiers living at the makeshift camps. Denman and Berry, both decorated former U.S. service members, were found guilty of conspiracy, trafficking in illegal arms and terrorism. The Trump administration last year threw its support behind opposition leader Guaidó, who has been recognized as Venezuela's legitimate president by 60 nations pledging to oust Maduro.

Source: Fox News August 09, 2020 18:56 UTC