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2020.05.07 03:53 GMT+8

Pompeo: U.S will use "every tool" to secure Americans in Venezuela

Updated 2020.05.07 04:13 GMT+8
CGTN

An attempt to topple the government of Nicolas Maduro via an invasion of armed men aboard small boats has ended with 13 people – including two American mercenaries - in detention, and eight people dead, according to the Venezuelan government on Monday.

According to AFP,  Nicolas Maduro, the President of Venezuela confirmed  that captured Americans to be tried in Venezuela. 

Russia says that the U.S. denial over the alleged plot against Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro is "unconvincing".

The U.S. government will use "every tool" available to secure the release and return of Americans if they are being held in Venezuela, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed on Wednesday. Pompeo also said, "There was no U.S. government direct involvement in this operation."

A footage released by the Venezuelan government shows the aftermath of what it claims was a mercenaries' attempted invasion.

Amongst those detained, two American former special forces soldiers. Both Americans worked for the man on the left, Jordan Goudreau, president of a Florida-based security company, and himself a ex-U.S. special forces soldier. This was him speaking on Sunday. 

Goudreau also made some explosive allegations. He said he had signed a $213 million contract with the Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaido, to help overthrow the Maduro government. 

Guaido, who is recognized as Venezuela's President by the U.S. and around 60 other countries, denies having anything to do with the plot.

"I just got information, nothing to do with our government, but I just got information on that…Well, we'll find out, we just heard about it, but whatever it is we'll let you know, but it has nothing to do with our government," Trump remarked on Tuesday.

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