Separating fact from fiction…
kremlin.ru via Wikimedia CommonsVenezuelan Dictator Nicolás Maduro is claiming that the Trump administration orchestrated a failed coup against him after his goon squad captured two U.S. ex-special forces. These are big claims coming from a socialist dictator — do they hold up under pressure?
Here is what we know about the alleged coup:
Are These Claims True?
We do know there are two Americans, both former U.S. special forces soldiers, being held in captivity for allegedly trying to overthrow the embattled Maduro. Do we know for a fact that these men were part of a group of “professional mercenaries” working on behalf of the U.S. and Colombia to bring Juan Guaidó (Venezuela’s rightful president) to power? That has yet to be confirmed by any independent source despite Maduro’s grandstanding on television.
Evidence of the Coup Attempt
Wilfredor via Wikimedia CommonsOne video replayed on Venezuelan state media shows one speedboat full of men surrendering to armed sentries as a helicopter swoops in low.
RT @OrlenysOV: This is the moment when the mercenaries captured in Chuao surrendered, being surrounded by the Civic-Military-Police operation which stopped the terrorist incursion. #4May. pic.twitter.com/8JZwjedAfp
— Nicolás Maduro (@maduro_en) May 5, 2020
This footage initially accompanied a statement by Maduro that contained the bulk of the claims. None of which have been verified, other than their surrender came after eight in their party were killed.
Was the U.S. Military Involved?
Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional via Wikimedia CommonsIs it possible that the U.S. had a hand in this operation? It’s not impossible given the complicated history of U.S. Cold War-era intervention in Latin America. More recently, the Bush administration tacitly endorsed a failed coup attempt against Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez.
As of now, there is no evidence to corroborate Maduro’s claims.
Who Was Arrested?
The two U.S. citizens detained by Venezuela are two former Green Berets. The pair had served in the Middle East for a few years before this unexpected development. The mother of one of the men told the press that she last heard from her son a few weeks ago, from an undisclosed location, when he asked her about the COVID-19 pandemic. She added that she had never heard her son talk about the socialist regime.
What Comes Next?
Presidencia El Salvador via Wikimedia CommonsThis international incident is exacerbated by the fact that there are no real diplomatic ties between the United States and Venezuela. There are a variety of things that can happen from here including a further escalation of hostilities all to way to diplomatic overtures to try and ensure the men’s safe returns.
How do you think President Trump should respond to the capture of these two American citizens? Let us know in the comments below!
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I hope our guys get back. Too bad the boys didn’t succeed. We need to tighten sanctions. The rightful president should be in charge in Venezuela.
I agree with you Ms. Dawson.
Agreed. But down there the police and military are part of the problem. If they weren’t supporting him they wouldn’t be eating either like most of his population.
I hope they weren’t part of a US operation. If they were, our Government has to do everything in their power to get them out. If they weren’t, we can only assume they shouldn’t have been there for everyone knows how corrupt and desperate the Maduro regime is. We don’t owe the people of Venezuela anything. They voted this bastard and his predecessor into power and now they have to sleep in the bed they’ve made. Those liberty minded Venezuelans should either leave or organize a revolution to overthrow the totalitarian regime. I hope these two Americans are able to get out and get home.
Before the president can made any decision about these Americans. We need verification if these are two Americans. We need to know if they are how did they get involved in this so called coup? I do not see Trump have a coup because this type of operation he would not believe in. He does not believe in trying to over through a country. He has spoken open about that. My question is if these are two American and former military men did they get hired as mercies? Have they been brain washed? Like some Americans that joined the Taliban and radical Islam causes that are against America. A lot of questions need to be answered. It is a fine line for him to walk and he needs Godly wisdom to make the right decision. Countries will lie as we have experienced this with China. We do not want to walk into a trap and be deceived about this problem. Cautious is what we need before a decision is made.
Look for the usual rabidly anti-Trump liberals to demand yet another “investigation” into him in hopes of finding something that will finally stick. If that doesn’t work they’ll be reduced to charging him with felony jaywalking. Tough sell for the poor lemmings.
Grow up folks. Why are two former soldiers from Texas found in Venezuela only days after secretary Pompeo boasted about being able to finally install Guaidó in the Miraflores Palace in Venezuela.
The truth will not hurt you.
Should have sent in 6 (ex) marines. That’s all it took to take Tripoli and end the Barbary pirate’s silliness.
They’ve already been identified as US citizens. What isn’t clear is what they were doing there. They’re retired military, which is also established. There is nothing wrong with helping the elected President of the country back into the palace where he rightfully belongs. I’m not really sure why Arnold Gote commented that people need to grow up. It’s never been a secret that Trump is on friendly terms with the elected President of Venezuela or that Maduro is a terrorist trying to overthrow its President or that he’s terrorizing the citizens of Venezuela. With the little that’s known there really isn’t enough to form an opinion either way. It doesn’t sound like Trump’s MO to do that. Most of us don’t understand how things like this are normally handled but if things were up front then I wouldn’t consider it a coup to help a duly elected President of another country rid that country of a terrorist who is overthrowing it. To a normal person it would seem like the right thing to do. JMO
I would love to go in and get our brothers out of there as well as kick Maduro’s fat ass out He is a worthless pig who is a parasite to his people If anyone decides to go get them please let me know I want to go I am a Marine veteran of 10 years and it is time for action and I want to kick Maduro’s ass myself I have my own reasons for getting this pig out
2 Americans out of how many? This doesn’t sound like Trump’s style at all. I’m going to wait for some more facts before I dive into this one. I am sorry it failed, because I think Maduro is a Socialist dictator that is only going to hurt the people while he lives the high life.
Just what our dear President needs right now. He’s under so much stress as it is. I’m sure that whatever the situation is he will do a thorough investigation and do whatever he can to get them back safely if he can! He truly cares for each American citizen. He is a negotiator and he is strategic. We need to pray that they will be kept safe & he will protect them from harm until we can get them back.
best way to overthrow him. Obey II Chronicles 7:14
He should do everything possible to bring about the ouster of Maduro before the Russians and Chicoms have an even larger foothold in South America. Does not anyone worry about Russian frigates and other military vessels sailing the Gulf of Mexico and having the ability to launch strikes against us from so close a position? Plus, who is to say other South American countries won’t cozy up to the commies if they see us being weak in our own hemisphere? Doesn’t the Monroe Doctrine matter any longer?
another Bay of Pigs attempt.
While I wish they would have succeeded, American citizens cannot roam around the globe involving themselves in fights with the expectation that our government will be obliged to bail them out. No ransom and no putting U.S. Servicemen in danger.
Not something Trump would endorse. A small boat in daylight attacking….. get real?
I agree that Mr. Trump should hold off on anything. For one thing, I would like proof. It just sounds like another ploy by an anti-American group stirring up trouble for the election. Conspiracy? Maybe, but look at what has been happening here since 2016.
Maybe it’s one of the “Mission Impossible” attempts.
These two are soldiers of fortune, mercenaries. They get well paid to do what they do and, they know the risks. They are not there as American soldiers. I think that America should not
get involved. Sad situation but brought on by their greed. It’s a risky job.
i think biden sent them over there and doesnt remember