U.S. Authorities are attempting to locate Jordan G. Goudreau, a former Green Beret, who was previously detained and accused in 2024 of organizing a failed coup attempt in Venezuela four years prior. Goudreau has been missing for months and is now considered a fugitive, according to court documents released this week. An electronic monitoring device he was required to wear on his ankle was found hidden inside furniture at a veteran’s treatment center.
Goudreau was accused in 2024 of orchestrating a plot to illegally export military-grade rifles, night vision devices, lasers, silencers, and other military equipment to Colombia, intended for use in “destabilizing activities” in Venezuela – specifically, a May 2020 coup attempt against Nicolás Maduro.
The formal charge stemmed from violations of U.S. Arms export control laws. The identity of those potentially behind the plot, known as Operation Gideon, remains unknown, though it reportedly involved a combination of ineptitude, ego clashes, and conflicting interests among former military personnel, politicians, and contractors.
The 49-year-old Goudreau pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to stand trial in June in Tampa, Florida. Prosecutors in Tampa have now requested a federal judge to forfeit Goudreau’s $2 million bond and issue a judgment against him for that amount.
The Department of Justice reported that alerts were triggered when Goudreau failed to appear for a bond review hearing in late October. Jennifer Gatien, the filmmaker who created a documentary about the coup attempt titled Men of War, stated that Goudreau had “unequivocally declared that he would not return to jail” and, considering his behavior, she believed he intended to flee.
Goudreau was undergoing treatment at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility at the time. After failing to appear in court, a warrant was issued for his arrest. During the search, police discovered the electronic monitoring device, wrapped in aluminum foil to hinder location, concealed within the facility’s furniture. Surveillance footage showed Goudreau leaving the establishment, and authorities have yet to apprehend him. His attorney, Marissel Dezcalzo, confirmed on Friday, “We do not know where he is.”
Goudreau, like many veterans, had transitioned to private security perform, running a Florida-based company called Silvercorp USA.
On January 3, the U.S. Army captured Maduro in a nighttime raid at his Caracas residence and transported him to Modern York, where, after pleading not guilty to the charges, he remains incarcerated awaiting trial. A preliminary hearing in the case, originally scheduled for March 17, has been postponed to March 26.
Goudreau is among the thousands of U.S. Military personnel who, as mercenaries, soldiers of fortune, or covert operatives, have engaged in destabilizing maneuvers throughout Latin America for over a century. The difference, in this instance, is that this fugitive can be identified by name, while his counterparts often operate in secrecy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Jordan Goudreau accused of?
Jordan Goudreau was accused of organizing a failed coup attempt in Venezuela in May 2020 and, in 2024, of illegally exporting military equipment to Colombia intended for use in that effort.
Where is Jordan Goudreau now?
Jordan Goudreau is currently a fugitive from justice. His whereabouts are unknown, and authorities are attempting to locate him.
What role did Jennifer Gatien play in this case?
Jennifer Gatien, a filmmaker who created a documentary about the attempted coup, was Goudreau’s bond guarantor. She stated that he told her he would not return to jail and believed he intended to flee.
Given Goudreau’s disappearance and the ongoing legal proceedings against Maduro, what further developments might occur in this complex situation?
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