Former Green Beret Accused of Trying to Overthow Nicolas Maduro Blasts CIA and FBI – Guy D. McCardle
In the annals of covert operations, few episodes are as perplexing as the 2020 attempt to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. At the center of this audacious endeavor was Jordan Goudreau, a former U.S. Green Beret whose transition from decorated soldier to alleged revolutionary mercenary has sparked intense debate and scrutiny.
Jordan Goudreau: From Green Beret to Private Contractor
After leaving military service in 2016, Goudreau transitioned from his role as a U.S. Army Green Beret to a career as a private security contractor. This shift was shaped by a series of pivotal developments that showcased his ability to leverage his military experience in the private sector.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, Goudreau worked as a security contractor in Puerto Rico. It was during this time that he recognized the financial opportunities available in the private security industry. Building on this realization, he founded Silvercorp USA in February 2018, a private security services company based in Melbourne, Florida. Drawing on his expertise in counterterrorism and crisis mitigation, he aimed to establish a foothold in this growing field.
Initially, Goudreau’s focus with Silvercorp was on school safety. In July 2018, he presented an innovative concept at a Florida school security conference, proposing to place undercover special operations forces veterans in schools. The service, aimed at preventing potential school shootings, was to be funded through a subscription model, with parents paying $8.99 per month.
By February 2019, Silvercorp had expanded its operations, providing security services for the Venezuela Aid Live concert. This experience piqued Goudreau’s interest in that nation, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to his involvement in the failed coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in May 2020.
Operation Gideon: The Failed Incursion
Operation Gideon was a failed coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in May 2020. Orchestrated by Jordan Goudreau, the plan aimed to infiltrate Venezuela by sea, capture Maduro and other high-ranking officials, and remove them from power. However, the operation was doomed from the start due to a combination of poor planning, limited resources, and critical missteps.
Despite Goudreau’s claims of having 800 men and a $1.5 million budget, the actual force consisted of only about 60 men, mostly Venezuelan military deserters, and two other former U.S. Green Berets. The operation also lacked significant support, receiving no backing from the U.S. government (Goudreau denies this) or the Venezuelan opposition. To make matters worse, Venezuelan authorities had prior knowledge of the plan, allowing them to easily intercept the invading force.
In the annals of covert operations, few episodes are as perplexing as the 2020 attempt to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. At the center of this audacious endeavor was Jordan Goudreau, a former U.S. Green Beret whose transition from decorated soldier to alleged revolutionary mercenary has sparked intense debate and scrutiny.
Jordan Goudreau: From Green Beret to Private Contractor
After leaving military service in 2016, Goudreau transitioned from his role as a U.S. Army Green Beret to a career as a private security contractor. This shift was shaped by a series of pivotal developments that showcased his ability to leverage his military experience in the private sector.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, Goudreau worked as a security contractor in Puerto Rico. It was during this time that he recognized the financial opportunities available in the private security industry. Building on this realization, he founded Silvercorp USA in February 2018, a private security services company based in Melbourne, Florida. Drawing on his expertise in counterterrorism and crisis mitigation, he aimed to establish a foothold in this growing field.
Initially, Goudreau’s focus with Silvercorp was on school safety. In July 2018, he presented an innovative concept at a Florida school security conference, proposing to place undercover special operations forces veterans in schools. The service, aimed at preventing potential school shootings, was to be funded through a subscription model, with parents paying $8.99 per month.
By February 2019, Silvercorp had expanded its operations, providing security services for the Venezuela Aid Live concert. This experience piqued Goudreau’s interest in that nation, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to his involvement in the failed coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in May 2020.
Operation Gideon: The Failed Incursion
Operation Gideon was a failed coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in May 2020. Orchestrated by Jordan Goudreau, the plan aimed to infiltrate Venezuela by sea, capture Maduro and other high-ranking officials, and remove them from power. However, the operation was doomed from the start due to a combination of poor planning, limited resources, and critical missteps.
Despite Goudreau’s claims of having 800 men and a $1.5 million budget, the actual force consisted of only about 60 men, mostly Venezuelan military deserters, and two other former U.S. Green Berets. The operation also lacked significant support, receiving no backing from the U.S. government (Goudreau denies this) or the Venezuelan opposition. To make matters worse, Venezuelan authorities had prior knowledge of the plan, allowing them to easily intercept the invading force.
The invasion began on May 1, 2020, with the group departing Colombia in two small fishing boats. The team faced technical difficulties and seasickness during the journey, hampering their progress. Compounding the issues, Goudreau compromised the mission by live-tweeting its launch from Florida, prematurely exposing the operation. This misstep, along with compromised intelligence and poor execution, sealed its fate.
The outcome of Operation Gideon was disastrous. At least eight members of the raiding team were killed, and 13 others, including the two American ex-Green Berets—Airan Berry and Luke Denman—were captured by Venezuelan forces. The two Americans were later sentenced to 20 years in prison before being included in a prisoner exchange. For Maduro, the failed coup attempt was a propaganda victory, bolstering his claims that the U.S. was attempting to destabilize his regime.
Operation Gideon has been described as making “the Bay of Pigs look like D-Day,” a reference to its lack of preparation and spectacular failure. It remains a cautionary tale about the risks of ill-conceived and poorly supported paramilitary ventures.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Since the failed coup attempt in Venezuela, Goudreau has been embroiled in several legal battles and allegations. In July 2024, he was arrested in New York on federal arms trafficking charges following a four-year investigation. He now faces 14 counts, including conspiracy, smuggling goods from the United States, and unlawful possession of a machine gun.
Prosecutors presented significant evidence against the former operator, including two automatic rifles that reportedly contain his DNA, as well as suppressors, night-vision goggles, and other equipment linked to purchases made by him and his company, Silvercorp USA. Text messages also surfaced showing Goudreau arranging the shipment and purchase of weapons. Prosecutors further argued that Goudreau posed a flight risk, pointing to his alleged escape to Mexico for about a year after learning of the investigation.
Despite these claims, Goudreau was released pending trial in September 2024. His defense attorneys have countered the charges by claiming that he was recruited for “Operation Gideon” by Keith Schiller, a former bodyguard to Donald Trump. They also allege that the operation was sanctioned by high-ranking officials, including then-Vice President Mike Pence.
As of January 2025, Goudreau’s trial remains ongoing. He maintains his innocence and has expressed hope that the incoming Trump administration might intervene in his case. The legal proceedings continue to draw significant attention due to the controversial nature of Operation Gideon and Goudreau’s claims of government involvement.
Implications and Reflections
The rise of Private Military Companies (PMCs) has introduced several complexities to modern warfare and defense policy. One major issue is the legal ambiguity surrounding their operations. Unlike traditional military forces governed by international laws like the Geneva Conventions, PMCs operate in legal grey areas where accountability is often unclear. This lack of clear legal frameworks makes it difficult to monitor their activities or ensure they comply with humanitarian principles.
Another concern is the impact of PMCs on state sovereignty. By outsourcing military functions to private companies, governments relinquish some control over critical operations, challenging traditional ideas of state authority. Compounding this is the lack of oversight and transparency. PMC contracts are often shielded from public scrutiny, with data such as contractor casualties not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests.
Ethical concerns also arise when private companies, driven by profit motives, are involved in military operations. This creates potential conflicts between financial goals and military objectives, raising questions about their alignment with national interests.
Geopolitically, PMCs are often used as tools for covert foreign policy, allowing states to pursue aggressive actions with reduced diplomatic consequences. However, their recruitment practices also present challenges. PMCs often recruit personnel in post-conflict regions with weak state institutions, which can exacerbate instability in already fragile states.
These complexities underscore the urgent need for policymakers to address the regulatory, legal, and ethical challenges posed by PMCs. Establishing clear rules and oversight mechanisms is essential to ensure their responsible use and maintain effective governance in modern warfare.
Recent Statements about the FBI and CIA
Goudreau recently made public statements criticizing the FBI and CIA. On January 11, 2025, Goudreau posted a video on social media where he sarcastically “commended” the agencies for their actions. In the video, he stated, “I want to commend the CIA and FBI for a job well done. Because of your actions in Venezuela in 2020, Nicolás Maduro is being sworn in today,” referring to the Venezuelan president’s inauguration for a third term. Goudreau ended his statement with a thumbs-up gesture and the remark, “Good job, fellas!”
His comments came on the same day as Maduro’s controversial inauguration, which has been widely criticized by the United States and others who claim the election was illegitimate. Goudreau appeared to suggest that he believes the FBI and CIA undermined his efforts to overthrow Maduro during the 2020 operation.
Adding to the controversy, Goudreau’s legal team has filed court documents claiming that his failed coup attempt had “authorization from the highest levels of the executive branch.” Despite these assertions, both the FBI and CIA have declined to comment on Goudreau’s recent statements or his legal claims.
Take Away Message
Jordan Goudreau’s transition from a decorated Green Beret to the alleged mastermind of a failed coup attempt in Venezuela serves as a cautionary tale. It highlights the thin line between patriotism and vigilantism and the dangers inherent in unsanctioned military interventions. As legal proceedings continue, the full extent of Goudreau’s actions and their implications for international relations and the regulation of private military enterprises remain to be seen.
Stay tuned to SOFREP for more on this developing story.
