A federal judge has ordered the release of a former U.S. Green Beret who was indicted in connection with a failed 2020 coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The former Green Beret, Jordan Goudreau, was arrested in July after a four-year investigation into the amphibious raid that resulted in several combatants being killed by Venezuelan security forces. Two of Goudreau's U.S. Special Forces colleagues were also imprisoned by the Maduro government.
The plot, known as Operation Gideon or Bay of Piglets, was carried out by a group of Venezuelan army deserters allegedly armed and trained by Goudreau in neighboring Colombia. Goudreau claimed he was acting in concert with Venezuela's opposition to protect democracy.
Despite arguments that Goudreau was a flight risk, the judge ordered his release pending trial next month. Goudreau, a three-time Bronze Star recipient with no criminal record, denied any mental health issues that would pose a risk upon release.
Prosecutors argued that Goudreau had a history of manipulating witnesses and fleeing to Mexico upon learning of the investigation. Evidence presented included Google searches on evading authorities and coaching a witness to lie about seized weapons.
Goudreau's attorney maintained that he was in contact with investigators and believed he had government authorization for his actions. Classified evidence is expected to be presented at trial to support this claim.
As a condition of his release, Goudreau will wear an ankle monitor and be confined to a former colleague's home in northern Florida. A $2 million bond secured by a filmmaker's apartment guarantees his release. If convicted, Goudreau faces a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.
