Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday called on Trump administration officials to share information about a foiled military operation against the ruling Venezuelan government that involved two American citizens.
Venezuelan authorities over the weekend released photos showing the arrest of two American citizens allegedly involved in an attempted coup against embattled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that was launched by military defectors.
One of the Americans, Jordan Goudreau, is a former U.S. Army Green Beret and founder of the private security firm Silvercorp USA.
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In a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoDemocratic senators demand answers on US involvement in foiled Venezuela plot Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says public health threat of loneliness compounded by COVID-19; Trump says task force will ‘evolve’ China’s regime won’t change, so the Chinese people must change it MORE, Attorney General William BarrWilliam Pelham BarrBarr says it was ‘duty’ to drop Flynn case: ‘It upheld the rule of law’ Democrats renew calls for Barr to resign after DOJ drops Flynn case Pelosi slams move to drop Flynn case: ‘Barr’s politicization of justice knows no bounds’ MORE and acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, the senators demanded information on whether the U.S. provided any assistance to the foiled attack.
“Either the U.S. government was unaware of these planned operations, or was aware and allowed them to proceed. Both possibilities are problematic,” Sens. Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyDemocratic senators demand answers on US involvement in foiled Venezuela plot GOP chairman says nation needs ‘millions’ more tests to safely reopen Pompeo renews calls for China to provide US access to Wuhan labs MORE (D-Conn.), Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineOVENIGHT DEFENSE: Navy secretary nominee: Service in ‘rough waters’ after ‘failure of leadership’| Senate fails to override Trump’s Iran war powers veto| Top Armed Services Republican expects to address Pentagon border wall funds in defense policy bill Democratic senators demand answers on US involvement in foiled Venezuela plot Senate fails to override Trump’s Iran war powers veto MORE (D-Va.) and Tom UdallThomas (Tom) Stewart UdallDemocratic senators demand answers on US involvement in foiled Venezuela plot OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Oil prices jump amid partial reopenings | Bill aims to block fossil fuel firms from coronavirus aid | Tribes to receive some coronavirus aid after court battle Tribes begin to receive partial coronavirus stimulus funding after court battle MORE (D-N.M.) wrote.
They demanded information on American policy toward Venezuela, saying support of a military operation is in violation of the VERDAD Act, signed into law in December, that states U.S. policy is to engage diplomatically to advance a negotiated solution to Venezuela’s political, economic and humanitarian crisis.
“Armed raids, even if they are carried out by independent actors, run counter to that policy,” the senators wrote. “Moreover, such incursions harm the prospects for a peaceful democratic transition in Venezuela by insinuating that an armed intervention is a viable option to resolve the crisis, potentially undermining the willingness of hardline opposition actors to negotiate, while simultaneously allowing Maduro to rally support to his side, strengthening his hand.”
Pompeo has echoed statements by President TrumpDonald John TrumpGuidelines drafted by CDC were rejected by Trump administration citing religious freedom, economic concerns: report Tara Reade represented by well-known lawyer, Trump campaign donor Barr says it was ‘duty’ to drop Flynn case: ‘It upheld the rule of law’ MORE and senior administration officials that the U.S. government had no direct involvement in the operation.
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“If we had been involved, it would have gone differently,” Pompeo said Wednesday in a briefing with reporters.
The secretary said he is prepared to release information at an appropriate time about “who bankrolled” the operation.
The U.S. considers Maduro’s leadership as illegitimate and backs the opposition leader Juan Guaidó. Pompeo in March unveiled a “pathway to democracy” for Venezuela for Maduro to step aside in favor of new, general elections.