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May 06, 2020

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced today the arrest of four other "terrorists" who participated in the so-called 'Operation Gideon' who, according to Caracas, proposed over the past weekend to carry out a coup d'état in Venezuela and transfer the chief of the state in the United States.

It was, he specified in a press conference today in Caracas, of a capture "that took place between last night and local noon, thanks to the operation 'Negro Primero - crushing of the enemy', with the participation of the civilian population, the military and the police". With these new arrests, 17 people arrested and accused of participating in the raid by sea have risen to 17, including two US citizens who, concluded Maduro, are "confessed guilty" and are treated "with respect" while they are in the hands of the justice.

The two Americans will be tried in Venezuela
Luke Derman and Airan Berry will be tried by Venezuelan justice, President Maduro said, adding that he will also ask the US for the extradition of Jordan Goudeau, the former green cap holder of the security agency Silver Corp Usa, accused of being in charge of the operation.

The American secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has guaranteed that the United States will use "every means available" to bring the two Americans home. Maduro also accused opposition leader Juan Gauidò of being the director of the operation. Like Washington, Guaidò continues to deny any involvement.

Russia: US denials "not convincing"
Russia considers US denials "not convincing" after the arrest of the two Americans. "Washington's claim that the American government has nothing to do with what has happened in Venezuela in recent days does not seem convincing - reads a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry." The actions of the mercenaries deserve a resolute and unconditional condemnation - notes Moscow's diplomacy, which considers "the use of military methods to resolve political disagreements" unacceptable ", inviting to give Venezuela" the opportunity to resolve its problems independently and peacefully, thanks to a broad national dialogue, without diktat, ultimatum and sanctions ".