Inside what happened after ex-Green Berets were caught up in #Venezuela’s failed coup

Key Concepts:

• Operation Gideon
• Venezuelan Coup Attempt
• US Government Denials
• Mercenary Operations
• Green Berets
• Maduro's Allegations

Operation Gideon: The Failed Incursion into Venezuela

This summary details the events surrounding "Operation Gideon," a purported coup attempt in Venezuela, as presented in state TV footage and subsequent reporting. The operation involved a group of men, including two American ex-US Army Green Berets, Luke Alexander Denman and Airan Berry, who were captured by Venezuelan security forces on the country's northern coast.

Main Topics and Key Points:

• The Incursion: Venezuelan state TV broadcast footage showing security forces apprehending a group of men, described as a "ragtag group," in a coastal village. Some individuals were reportedly without shoes or shirts.
• Allegations by President Maduro: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claimed that dozens more individuals were captured and eight were killed during the operation. He alleged that the captured men planned to infiltrate Venezuela via its northern coast, proceed to Caracas, and attempt to kidnap him.
• Involvement of American Citizens: Two of the captured individuals were identified as American citizens, Luke Alexander Denman and Airan Berry, both former US Army Green Berets.
• Perceived US Government Backing: Mark Denman, brother of Luke Denman, stated that his brother believed the mission had US government backing. He indicated that a "very trusted friend" brought Luke into the operation, and that Luke believed it was "for a cause he believed in."
• US State Department Denial: The US State Department unequivocally denied any direct US government involvement in the operation. A spokesperson stated, "There was no US government direct involvement in this operation. If we have been involved, it would have gone differently."
• President Trump's Disavowal: Then-President Donald Trump also disavowed any US involvement, stating, "We just heard about it. But whatever it is, we'll let you know. But it has nothing to do with our government."

Key Arguments and Perspectives:

• Venezuelan Government's Perspective: President Maduro presented the captured individuals as foreign mercenaries attempting to destabilize his government and carry out an assassination/kidnapping. The state TV footage served as evidence for this narrative.
• Accused Operatives' Alleged Motivation (as per Mark Denman): Luke Denman's brother suggests that Luke was motivated by a belief in the cause and the perceived support of the US government, implying a potential misunderstanding or deception regarding the operation's true backing.
• US Government's Stance: The US government, through the State Department and President Trump, actively distanced itself from the operation, emphasizing a lack of direct involvement and suggesting that any US-backed operation would have been executed with greater competence.

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Green Berets: Elite special forces soldiers in the US Army, known for their unconventional warfare capabilities.
• Operation Gideon: The name given to the attempted incursion into Venezuela.
• Mercenary: A soldier of fortune; someone who fights for pay in the armies of a foreign state.

Logical Connections:

The narrative flows from the initial visual evidence of the capture, to the Venezuelan government's official accusations, to the personal account of a captured operative's family, and finally to the official denials from the US government. This sequence highlights the conflicting narratives surrounding the event.

Data, Research Findings, or Statistics:

• Eight men were reported killed by President Maduro.
• Dozens more were allegedly captured.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The events surrounding "Operation Gideon" present a complex scenario with conflicting claims of involvement and intent. While Venezuelan state media and President Maduro alleged a US-backed coup attempt involving foreign mercenaries, the US government, including the State Department and President Trump, vehemently denied any direct participation. The capture of American ex-Green Berets, Luke Denman and Airan Berry, fueled international attention, but the official US position remains that the operation was not sanctioned or supported by the US government. The brother of one of the captured Americans suggested a belief in US backing, adding another layer to the disputed narrative.