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Jordan Goudreau

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Jordan Goudreau
File:Jordan Goudreau.png
Jordan Goudreau in May 2020
Born1976 (age 47–48)[1]
Canada
CitizenshipCanada
United States (naturalized)
EducationUniversity of Calgary
Occupation(s)Former soldier
private security contractor
Military career
Allegiance Canada
 United States
Service years1994–1998 (Canada)
2001–2016 (United States)
RankSergeant first class
Unit10th Special Forces Group
ConflictWar in Afghanistan
Iraq War

Jordan Goudreau (born 1976) is a Canadian-American mercenary[2] who claimed responsibility for organizing the Macuto Bay incursion into Venezuelan territory on 3 May 2020.[3] He is the owner and operator of a private security firm based in Florida called Silvercorp USA, which he set up in 2018.[4] Silvercorp website described Goudreau as a “highly decorated Special Forces Iraq and Afghanistan veteran.“[4][1] Goudreau previously served in the Canadian Armed Forces and the U.S. Army Special Forces.[1]

Early life

Goudreau was raised in a middle-class family on the outskirts of Calgary, Alberta.[5] Childhood friends said he was competitive, enjoyed playing video games and watched kung fu films.[5] Goudreau's father stated that he had " a family full of military people," which included Goudreau's grandfather and great-grandfather.[5] He later attended the University of Calgary from 1994 to 1998 where he studied computer science.[1]

Military career

After finishing college, Goudreau served in the Canadian Armed Forces, but desired to enlist in the United States armed forces as he was seeking a more challenging military career.[5] He moved to Washington, D.C. and enlisted in the United States Army a few months prior to the September 11 attacks in New York City, eventually reaching the rank of Sergeant first class in the 10th Special Forces Group.[1]

Documentation shows that Goudreau faced months of combat while deployed and suffered a concussion and back injuries during a parachuting accident in August 2014.[5][6] Following this incident, he was granted medical retirement in 2016, receiving disability payments after discharging from the military.[5] Following his retirement, Goudreau became a naturalized United States citizen.[1]

Silvercorp USA

Silvercorp USA
Company typePrivate military company
FoundedFebruary 2018; 6 years ago (February 2018)
FounderJordan Goudreau
Headquarters
Melbourne, Florida
,
United States
Websitewww.silvercorpusa.com

After Puerto Rico was affected by Hurricane Maria in September 2017, Goudreau served as a security contractor and saw the financial benefits of being in the industry.[6][7] He founded a private security-services company called Silvercorp USA in February 2018.[8]

School safety

Following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that month, he presented a concept of placing undercover special forces veterans in schools at a Florida school security conference in July 2018.[5]

At the convention, Goudreau proposed that parents personally pay $8.99 per month for the service, comparing it to a Netflix subscription.[9] When asked why he preferred personal payments, he said that it was to avoid the "chain of command" at schools and "We want private money, because it's faster".[9]

In April 2018, Goudreau began working with schools in Cartagena, Colombia to teach safety classes for students.[6]

Trump security services

Silvercorp USA provided security services to President of the United States Donald Trump at least once.[6] At a Trump rally in Charlotte, North Carolina at Bojangles' Coliseum on 26 October 2018, Goudreau could be seen providing security services at the event.[6]

Through connections within the private security community, Goudreau was acquainted with Keith Schiller, President Trump's longtime director of security.[10]

Venezuela

Main article: Operation Gideon (2020)

In February 2019, Silvercorp provided security services at Venezuela Aid Live, resulting in Goudreau turning his attention to Venezuela.[11] According to Drew White, a former business associate of Silvercorp, Goudreau saw an opportunity to overthrow Maduro when the Trump administration focused on removing Maduro from power.[10]

Goudreau eventually met with officials of disputed Venezuelan leader Juan Guaidó in October and November 2019 where they made an initial agreement on plans for an armed operation in Venezuela to capture Maduro, but the two parties allegedly separated after disagreements.[12]

On 3 May 2020, Goudreau released a video alongside former Venezuelan National Guard (GNB) officer Javier Nieto Quintero, claiming responsibility for an armed incursion into Venezuelan territory by "land and sea", which he said was called "Operation Gideon", which involved 60 troops, including two former United States Army Special Forces members. Goudreau said he sought the backing of the U.S. government for his operation but claims he was unsuccessful. The Venezuelan government said security forces had foiled a "marine incursion" by "terrorist mercenaries" from neighboring Colombia in Vargas state, killing eight people and capturing two others. State television showed images of captured weapons, Peruvian documents, and uniforms emblazoned with an American flag.[13][14]

Goudreau and Javier Nieto Quintero, identified as a retired captain of the Venezuelan military, published a video on the same day claiming responsibility for the attack.[15] The next day, Goudreau stated that two of the captured men were U.S. citizens, Airan Berry and Luke Denman, both are ex green berets, were captured on their "peñero" type boat by a fisherman.[16] Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has denied any links to the operation.[17]

The Venezuelan government claimed the United States and its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were responsible for the operation and had support from Colombia.[18] Goudreau claimed that Guaidó and two political advisers had signed a contract with him for $213 million in October 2019.[19]

On 8 May 2020, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab requested the extradition of Goudreau from the United States, along with two Venezuelan opposition politicians, Juan José Rendon and exiled lawmaker Sergio Vergara, for the "design, financing, and execution" of the plan to overthrow Maduro.[20]

Awards and decorations

Sergeant first class Goudreau's decorations, medals and badges include:[8]

Badge Combat Infantryman Badge
Badge Parachutist Badge
1st row Bronze Star Medal x 3
Tabs Special Forces Tab and Ranger tab

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Freeze, Colin; Dickson, Janice (5 May 2020). "A Canadian-American military man, a failed Venezuela coup and a Twitter video". The Globe and Mail. Toronto and Ottawa. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  2. ^ Bogotá, Julian Borger Joe Parkin Daniels in; McGreal, Chris (2020-05-08). "'His head wasn't in the world of reality': how the plot to invade Venezuela fell apart". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  3. ^ Ex-Green Beret Led Failed Attempt to Oust Venezuela's Maduro NYTimes.com
  4. ^ a b "Venezuela detains two Americans allegedly involved in failed raid to remove Maduro". The Guardian. 5 May 2020. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-05-05.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Faiola, Anthony; Boburg, Shawn (10 May 2020). "Venezuela raid: How an ex-Green Beret and a defecting general planned to capture Maduro". The Washington Post.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b c d e Ward, Alex (2020-05-11). "The "ridiculous" failed coup attempt in Venezuela, explained". Vox. Retrieved 2020-05-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Goodman, Joshua (2 May 2020). "Ex-Green Beret led failed attempt to oust Venezuela's Maduro". The Washington Post. AP. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  8. ^ a b Rempfer, Kyle (2020-05-06). "Here's the career info for the former Green Berets involved in Venezuela raid debacle". Military Times. Retrieved 2020-05-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b Rich, John Woodrow Cox, Steven. "Billions are now spent to protect kids from school shootings. Has it made them safer?". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved 2020-05-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b Goodman, Joshua (1 May 2020). "Ex-Green Beret led failed attempt to oust Venezuela's Maduro". Associated Press. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Venezuela detains two US citizens over speedboat incursion". BBC News. 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  12. ^ Faiola, Anthony (6 May 2020). "From a Miami condo to the Venezuelan coast, how a plan to 'capture' Maduro went rogue". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-05-07.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ Venezuelan government says it stopped ‘invasion’ launched from Colombia The Washington Post
  14. ^ Boat attack on Venezuela port foiled The Canberra Times
  15. ^ Tiempo, Casa Editorial El (4 May 2020). "El exmilitar de EE. UU. que se atribuye incursión armada en Venezuela" [The armed incursion in Venezuela is attributed to a former US soldier]. El Tiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  16. ^ "Venezuela's Maduro says two Americans captured in failed invasion attempt". Washington Post.
  17. ^ Vivian Sequera and Brian Ellsworth Venezuelan authorities detain U.S. citizens allegedly involved in incursion Reuters May 4, 2020
  18. ^ "Venezuela: Two US nationals arrested for plotting to overthrow Maduro regime". The Asian Age. AFP. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  19. ^ Phillips, Tom (4 May 2020). "Venezuela: anti-Maduro battle isn't over as ex-US soldier says he launched raid". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  20. ^ "Venezuela's top prosecutor requests extradition of U.S. veteran accused in plot". May 8, 2020 – via uk.reuters.com.
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