U.S. captive: Maduro target of Venezuela raid

On Thursday, the Venezuelan Communication Minister aired a video showing the questioning of US contractor Airon Berry, during which he states Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro was a target of the foiled raid.

In the interrogation video, Berry said that both Venezuelan Intelligence Services and the Airport tower were also targets.

This is the second video released by the Venezuelan government questioning the two captured security contractors, Airon Berry and Luke Denman, both former US special forces.

In the first video released, Luke Denman said that the raid intended to abduct Maduro and use the airport for safe passage.

"How is it that President Donald Trump was unaware of this incursion, if two members of the special forces, who were also direct security advisers to the President of the United States of America, were the organizers and trainers, and also participated in the armed raid last Sunday, May 3?" said Rodriguez after showing the video.

Trump has denied any US involvement in the raid and Goudreau has said he was unable to ever convince the Trump administration to support his bold plan for a private coup.

Maduro has insisted it was directed by the White House.

Aides to Juan Guaidó, the opposition leader backed by the US have acknowledged exploring the idea last year but said they quickly backed out after deciding Goudreau couldn't deliver or be trusted.

Before dawn on Sunday, officials say the first attack started on a beach near Venezuela's port city of La Guaira, when security forces made the first two arrests and killed eight others attempting to make a landing by speedboats.

Officials in Venezuela said Thursday that they have now captured 23 people involved in the botched attack.