Judge Orders Arrest of Ex-Green Beret Linked to Venezuela Coup
Okay,here’s a breakdown of the key data from the provided text,focusing on the relationship between Jordan Goudreau and Michelle Gatien,and the context of the failed Venezuela incursion:
Key Players:
* Jordan Goudreau: A former U.S. Special Forces veteran who led the failed mercenary operation into Venezuela. He is currently facing legal issues and a bail hearing.
* Michelle Gatien: A filmmaker who documented Goudreau’s plan in a documentary called “Men of War.” She was prepared to be Goudreau’s bail guarantor but is now accusing him of deception and threats.
* Nicolás Maduro: The President of Venezuela, the target of the attempted coup.
* Brande and Jason Woolems: An Oklahoma couple who stored Goudreau’s belongings and were pressured by him to make false statements against Gatien.
The Failed Venezuela Incursion (“Bay of Pigs”):
* Goudreau planned to train Venezuelan Army deserters in Colombia to launch a raid into venezuela, hoping to spark a rebellion and overthrow Maduro.
* The plan was exposed by the Associated Press before it could succeed.
* The operation failed, resulting in deaths and the imprisonment of two U.S. Special Forces members (Goudreau’s colleagues) in Venezuela.
* The event is seen as a cautionary tale regarding the Trump administration’s approach to regime change in Venezuela.
* Recent actions by the Trump administration, including naval attacks on suspected drug smuggling ships and authorizing covert CIA operations in Venezuela, have drawn criticism.
The deteriorating Relationship Between Goudreau and gatien:
* Initially, Gatien was sympathetic to Goudreau and documented his plan.
* After the film’s release, their relationship soured.
* Gatien accuses Goudreau of:
* Deception: Specifically, reneging on a promise to pledge assets (cash, gold, cryptocurrency) as collateral for her bail guarantee.
* Financial Coercion: Related to the broken promise of collateral.
* Threatening Behavior: Evidenced by angry, profanity-laced text messages (“I’m not going back to prison”) suggesting he would flee if released on bail.
* Gatien fears financial ruin if Goudreau flees.
* Goudreau attempted to pressure the Woolems couple to falsely accuse Gatien of misconduct.
* The Woolems couple refused and were verbally abused by Goudreau.
Current Legal Situation:
* Goudreau is at a bail hearing.
* Gatien’s testimony and evidence (text messages, court documents) are central to the case.
* The government is presenting evidence of Goudreau’s attempt to retrieve assault rifles, potentially violating a court order.
In essence, the article portrays a situation where a failed military operation has unraveled personal and professional relationships, leading to accusations of fraud, coercion, and potential flight risk in a bail hearing. It also highlights the broader political context of U.S. involvement in Venezuela.