Federal Judge Orders Arrest of Former Green Beret Over Alleged 2020 Venezuela Plot
A federal judge in Tampa ordered the arrest of a former Green Beret after the defendant failed to appear for a scheduled hearing on whether he should be detained pending trial. The man, identified only as a former special‑operations soldier, faces charges related to an alleged scheme to organize a private invasion of Venezuela in 2020.
According to the indictment, prosecutors allege that the ex‑soldier recruited a small group of U.S. citizens and attempted to secure funding and logistical support for an armed operation aimed at overthrowing the Venezuelan government. The charges include conspiracy to commit violent offenses abroad and providing material support to a foreign armed group. The defendant was released on bail pending a hearing, but his absence from the court prompted the judge to issue a warrant for his arrest.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about unauthorized paramilitary activities targeting foreign nations. Legal experts note that U.S. law prohibits citizens from engaging in military actions against other sovereign states without explicit government authorization. The judge’s decision to order arrest reflects the court’s assessment that the defendant poses a flight risk and a potential danger to public safety.
U.S.-Venezuela relations have remained strained for years, with Washington imposing sanctions and accusing Caracas of human‑rights violations, while Venezuela has denounced U.S. interference. Analysts say the alleged plot, even if never executed, underscores the broader geopolitical tensions and the challenges of preventing private actors from pursuing foreign interventions.
The defendant is expected to appear before a federal magistrate in the coming weeks, where the court will determine whether to keep him detained pending trial. Prosecutors indicated that the case could set a precedent for how U.S. authorities handle similar conspiracies, and they emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law in matters involving foreign policy and national security.
