Venezuelan security forces foiled an armed incursion of US mercenaries in the country on May 4.

In a television broadcast on May 5, Venezuela Pres. Nicolas Maduro said that two American citizens were among those arrested for participating in the attack. They were identified as Luke Denman and Airan Berry, former members of the US Special Forces. They are employed by Silvercorp, USA, a private security company based in Florida which was founded by Jordan Gourdeau, a former member of the Green Beret.

The armed incursion against Venezuela, dubbed Operation Gideon, was launched in the early morning of May 3 and was foiled the next day. Thirteen mercenaries were arrested while six others were killed. Pres. Donald Trump denied US links to the attack but said that all options are on the table against Venezuela. Earlier in January 2019, another US-sponsored coup attempt was also foiled by Venezuela. Maduro believes that the botched attack is linked to the oil was as the US has long wanted to monopolize control over the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), of which Venezuela is a member of.