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The Americans have been widely displayed on Venezuelan national TV as proof of US intentions to overthrow the president.
A Venezuelan court has sentenced two former United States Army Special Forces soldiers - Green Berets - to 20 years in prison for their part in a failed beach attack aimed at overthrowing President Nicolas Maduro.
Former soldiers Luke Denman and Airan Berry admitted to taking part in the May 4 operation orchestrated by a third ex-US soldier who remains in the US, Venezuelan's chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab announced on Twitter late on Friday.
"They admitted their responsibility for the facts," Saab wrote, adding the case will continue for dozens of other defendants. He did not offer details.
"Operation Gideon" was launched from makeshift training camps in neighbouring Colombia and left at least eight rebel soldiers dead while a total of 66 were jailed. Former Green Beret Jordan Goudreau, who operated a private, Florida-based security firm called Silvercorp USA, claimed responsibility for the failed coup d'etat.
---snip---
But in some ways, the true focus is on the State Department, which hired Blackwater to protect U.S. diplomats and visiting congressional delegations in Baghdad and elsewhere.
Waxman blasted the State Department as a Blackwater "enabler" by failing to provide sufficient oversight of the contract. Blackwater's operations in Iraq are directed and coordinated by the U.S. Embassy's security officer.
Erik Prince, Blackwater's chief executive officer, appeared before the committee to make his most public defense yet of his company's record, pointing out that it operates in a particularly hostile environment.
originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: kloejen
Should we blame Saudi Arabia for the 911 attack?
15 of them were Saudis...
A former US soldier captured in Venezuela has said he was contracted by a Florida security firm to seize control of Caracas's airport and bring in a plane to fly Maduro to the US. According to a document published by the Washington Post on Thursday, members of the country's opposition parties negotiated a $213m deal with the company, Silvercorp USA, to invade the country and overthrow Maduro.
originally posted by: kloejen
a reply to: schuyler
Maybe you missed the congress hearing?
The Venezuelans have been widely displayed on American national TV as proof of Venezuelan intentions to overthrow the president.
originally posted by: schuyler
originally posted by: kloejen
Of course, US officials will blame this on.. hmm lets see now... any ideas?
Mercenaries. Soldiers of Fortune working for a Blackwater clone. Not affiliated with any US goverenment operation. Think differently? Prove it.
originally posted by: network dude
originally posted by: schuyler
originally posted by: kloejen
Of course, US officials will blame this on.. hmm lets see now... any ideas?
Mercenaries. Soldiers of Fortune working for a Blackwater clone. Not affiliated with any US goverenment operation. Think differently? Prove it.
While you are totally correct, I wonder who looks after the families of these mercenaries in such an occasion. Off books is off radar.
originally posted by: Phage
Good.
It was a truly bonehead move. Sort of Olly North, but dumber.