Two US citizens held after failed coup in Venezuela attempt are named

A handout video-grabbed photo made available from VTV channel of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L), addressing a press conference and showing what the government calls two suspects from USA, Luke Denman, 34, and Airan Berry (R), 41, arrested as part of a raid against alleged mercenaries, Venezuela.

Venezuelan authorities claimed on 04 May that a ‘foiled sea invasion’ at the weekend was part of a plan to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro.

Ten people have been arrested and eight were killed, all linked to the operation, according to the government.

In his first public appearance after the alleged incident, Maduro claimed on 04 May that the objective of the mission ‘was to kill the President of Venezuela… to try to kill me.’

Florida-based Jordan Goudreau, an ex-Green Beret, said Luke Denman and Aaron Berry were part of Operation Gideon aimed at “liberating Venezuela” by arresting President Maduro.

The operation, on Sunday, was allegedly financed by US-backed Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, according to Mr Goudreau.

Mr Guaido denies the claim.

 

EPA-EFE/VTV CHANNEL HANDOUT