Jordan Goudreau is a Canadian-Americanmercenary who claimed responsibility for organizing the Macuto Bay incursion into Venezuelan territory on 3 May 2020. He is the owner and operator of a private security firm based in Florida called Silvercorp USA, which he set up in 2018. Silvercorp website described Goudreau as a “highly decorated Special Forces Iraq and Afghanistan veteran.“ Goudreau previously served in the Canadian Armed Forces and the U.S. Army Special Forces.
Early life
Goudreau was raised in a middle-class family on the outskirts of Calgary, Alberta. Childhood friends said he was competitive, enjoyed playing video games and watched kung fu films. Goudreau's father stated that he had " a family full of military people," which included Goudreau's grandfather and great-grandfather. He later attended the University of Calgary from 1994 to 1998 where he studied computer science.
After Puerto Rico was affected by Hurricane Maria in September 2017, Goudreau served as a security contractor and saw the financial benefits of being in the industry. He founded a private security-services company called Silvercorp USA in February 2018.
School safety
Following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that month, he presented a concept of placing undercover special forces veterans in schools at a Florida school security conference in July 2018. At the convention, Goudreau proposed that parents personally pay $8.99 per month for the service, comparing it to a Netflix subscription. When asked why he preferred personal payments, he said that it was to avoid the "chain of command" at schools and "We want private money, because it's faster". In April 2018, Goudreau began working with schools in Cartagena, Colombia to teach safety classes for students.
In February 2019, Silvercorp provided security services at Venezuela Aid Live, resulting in Goudreau turning his attention to Venezuela. According to Drew White, a former business associate of Silvercorp, Goudreau saw an opportunity to overthrow Maduro when the Trump administration focused on removing Maduro from power. Goudreau eventually met with officials of disputed Venezuelan leader Juan Guaidó in October and November 2019 where they made an initial agreement on plans for an armed operation in Venezuela to capture Maduro, but the two parties allegedly separated after disagreements. On 3 May 2020, Goudreau released a video alongside former Venezuelan National Guard officer Javier Nieto Quintero, claiming responsibility for an armed incursion into Venezuelan territory by "land and sea", which he said was called "Operation Gideon", which involved 60 troops, including two former United States Army Special Forces members. Goudreau said he sought the backing of the U.S. government for his operation but claims he was unsuccessful. The Venezuelan government said security forces had foiled a "marine incursion" by "terrorist mercenaries" from neighboring Colombia in Vargas state, killing eight people and capturing two others. State television showed images of captured weapons, Peruvian documents, and uniforms emblazoned with an American flag. Goudreau and Javier Nieto Quintero, identified as a retired captain of the Venezuelan military, published a video on the same day claiming responsibility for the attack. The next day, Goudreau stated that two of the captured men were U.S. citizens, Airan Berry and Luke Denman, both are ex green berets, were captured on their "peñero" type boat by a fisherman. Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has denied any links to the operation. The Venezuelan government claimed the United States and its Drug Enforcement Administration were responsible for the operation and had support from Colombia. Goudreau claimed that Guaidó and two political advisers had signed a contract with him for $213 million in October 2019. On 8 May 2020, Venezuelan Attorney GeneralTarek William Saab requested the extradition of Goudreau from the United States, along with two Venezuelan opposition politicians, Juan José Rendon and exiled lawmaker Sergio Vergara, for the "design, financing, and execution" of the plan to overthrow Maduro.
Awards and decorations
Sergeant first class Goudreau's decorations, medals and badges include:
