Video: Captured Mercenaries Admit Plans to Kidnap Venezuela’s Maduro, Take Him to US on Plane

The Venezuelan military thwarted an attempted naval invasion by heavily-armed mercenaries coming from Colombia in speed boats on Sunday morning, neutralizing eight fighters and capturing two people Caracas says are US nationals.

Venezuelan television has broadcast footage of the confession of Silvercorp USA mercenary Luke Alexander Denman, one of the US citizens captured following Sunday’s botched raid. According to the mercenary, the plan was to kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, get him on a plane and take him back to the United States for prosecution.

Speaking to his interrogator, Denman explained that the mission he signed up for was “to meet Venezuelans in Colombia, train them and come with them to Venezuela to secure Caracas and secure an airport here for follow-on.”

BREAKING: Venezuela's government releases the confession of Silvercorp mercenary Luke Alexander Denman.

Live now on @teleSURenglish pic.twitter.com/PP8V7sTEt7

— Camila (@camilateleSUR) May 6, 2020

Denman also revealed that he flew to Colombia on January 16 after being contacted by Silvercorp USA CEO Jordan Goudreau. The mercenary said he did not initially receive many details about his possible mission, and said he expected to be paid between $50,000 to $100,000.

Along with Denman, Venezuelan television broadcast footage of his alleged co-conspirator, fellow US national Airan Berry.