“Operation Gideon” Fails to Remove Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela and Complicates the Political Landscape for the Opposition

!!!

Like a treatment for a low budget action movie, the plan to kidnap President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela involved political intrigue, clandestine meetings, spies and double agents, geopolitical rivalry, and of course, swash-buckling, former Special Forces Gringo mercs working for a U.S. security contractor in Miami. On Sunday, May 3, and Monday, May 4, 2020, two “maritime raids” were attempted, one in the state of La Guaira, near Caracas, and another on the coast of the state of Aragua, about two hours from Caracas. Eight people were killed, and another two were detained in the first, and the next day, thirteen more were detained, including U.S. Army veterans linked to Silvercorp, USA. The operation was cooked up by people close to Juan Guaidó, President of the Asamblea Nacional and self-declared “President in Charge,” who is recognized as the head of the Venezuelan state by some 60 countries, including the United States. Both Guaidó and the U.S. government denied any involvement in the affair, though most observers around Latin America find their denials laughable. The operation, seemingly infiltrated by the Maduro government from the start, was a total and pitiful failure, and a public relations disaster for the opposition. Commentators had plenty to offer.

To read the full content subscribe today!