Venezuela: Ex-US soldiers sentenced to 20 years in jail over failed coup to oust Maduro

A Venezuelan court has sentenced two former United States Army Special Forces soldiers to 20 years in prison for ir part in a failed coup to overthrow President Nicolas Muro. According to international media reports, former soldiers, Luke Denman and Airan Berry were found guilty of conspiracy, illicit trafficking of weapons, and terrorism. 

two ex-soldiers were among 13 people arrested in May as y attempted to enter Venezuela by sea from Colombia, as per reports. Venezuelan chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab, while taking to Twitter, said that Denman and Berry "mitted ir responsibility for facts". He ded that case will continue for dozens of ors, who are accused of assisting raid. Saab even shared ims of vehicles, weapons, and identity documents. 

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According to reports, United States President Donald Trump has denied accusations by Venezuela that he was behind incident. However, Venezuelan officials consider two former soldiers as proof of ir long-held claims that US is set on overthrowing Muro’s socialist government. 

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US to ‘win freedom’ of ex-soldiers 

two former soldiers are reported to have confessed ir involved in ‘Operation Gideon’, which was a plot to eir kill Muro or kidnap him and take him to US. As per reports, operation was launched from makeshift training camps in neighbouring Colombia. 

Meanwhile, recent incident has unleashed claims that US-backed opposition leer Juan Guaido authorised ‘Operation Gideon’ through a signed agreement to carry out attack. While Guaido denied any role in plot, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly said that Washington would use all possible means to win freedom of recently arrested former soldiers. 

relations between US and Venezuela have been tense for quite some time w. Venezuelan President has repeatedly accused US of manipulating political opposition and interfering in country's internal affairs. Muro believes that Washington is manipulating Guaido to steal nation’s vast oil. Meanwhile, US and Guaido have blamed Muro for Venezuela’s ecomic collapse. 

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