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Silvercorp USA

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Silvercorp USA, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 202521 sources


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Jordan Goudreau
Born (1976-07-30) 30 July 1976 (age 50)[1]
Canada
CitizenshipCanada
United States (naturalized)
EducationUniversity of Calgary
Occupations
  • Former soldier
  • private security contractor
Template:Infobox military person

Jordan Guy MacDonald Goudreau (born July 30, 1976) is a Canadian-American mercenary[2] who acknowledged responsibility for orchestrating the Macuto Bay incursion into Venezuelan territory on May 3, 2020.[3]

He is the founder and chief executive of Silvercorp USA, a private security company established in Florida in 2018.[4] Prior to this, Goudreau served within both the Canadian Armed Forces and the United States Army Special Forces.[1]

Early life

Goudreau grew up in a suburban area of Mississauga, Ontario,[5][6] and was raised in a middle-class household near Calgary, Alberta.[7] Those who knew him during childhood recall that he was highly competitive, enjoyed playing video games, and was a fan of kung fu films.[7] According to his father, military service ran in the family, with both Goudreau's grandfather and great-grandfather having served.[7] He pursued higher education at the University of Calgary between 1994 and 1998, focusing on computer science.[1]

Military career

Following his graduation, Goudreau initially joined the Canadian Armed Forces but aspired to serve in the U.S. military for a more demanding career path.[7] He relocated to Washington, D.C. and enlisted in the United States Army several months before the September 11 attacks occurred in New York City. Over time, he attained the rank of Sergeant first class within the 10th Special Forces Group.[1]

Records indicate that Goudreau endured several months of combat deployment and sustained injuries including a concussion and back trauma resulting from a parachute accident in August 2014.[7][8] After this injury, he was medically retired in 2016 and began receiving disability benefits upon leaving military service.[7] Subsequent to his retirement, Goudreau obtained citizenship as a naturalized United States citizen.[1]

Silvercorp USA

After Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in September 2017, Jordan Goudreau worked as a security contractor and recognized the lucrative potential within the sector. He subsequently established a private security firm named Silvercorp USA in February 2018.

School safety

In the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February 2018, Goudreau introduced a proposal at a Florida school security conference in July 2018. His idea involved deploying undercover special forces veterans within schools to enhance safety measures.

At this event, he suggested that parents could fund this initiative by paying $8.99 monthly, likening the cost to a Netflix subscription. When questioned about his preference for direct payments, Goudreau explained that bypassing traditional school administrative hierarchies would expedite implementation, stating, "We want private money, because it's faster."

By April 2018, Goudreau had begun collaborating with educational institutions in Cartagena, Colombia, conducting safety training sessions for students.

Security services for a Trump rally

Silvercorp USA was engaged to provide security at least at one event supporting President Donald Trump. Specifically, on October 26, 2018, during a Trump rally held at Bojangles' Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, Goudreau was visibly involved in managing security operations. His connections within the private security industry included an acquaintance with Keith Schiller, who served as President Trump's longtime director of security.

Venezuela

Main article: Operation Gideon (2020)

In February 2019, Silvercorp was contracted to provide security at Venezuela Aid Live, which prompted Goudreau to focus his efforts on Venezuela.[9] Drew White, a former Silvercorp business partner, indicated that Goudreau identified an opportunity to depose Maduro when the Trump administration prioritized his removal.

During October and November 2019, Goudreau engaged with representatives from interim president Juan Guaidó’s team, tentatively agreeing on an armed operation aimed at capturing Maduro. However, the collaboration ended due to disagreements.[10]

On 3 May 2020, Goudreau appeared in a video alongside Javier Nieto Quintero, a former officer of the Venezuelan National Guard (GNB), asserting responsibility for an armed incursion into Venezuelan territory by "land and sea," which they termed "Operation Gideon." The operation reportedly involved 60 personnel and two former members of the United States Army Special Forces. Although Goudreau was not physically present in Venezuela, he provided updates about the attempted coup on Twitter immediately before and during the event.[11] Their video was recorded in Florida, where both men reside.[12] Goudreau asserted that he unsuccessfully sought support from the U.S. government for this mission. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan authorities reported that security forces had thwarted a "marine incursion" by "terrorist mercenaries" originating from neighboring Colombia in Vargas state, resulting in eight fatalities and two captures. State TV broadcast images showing seized weapons, documents from Peru, and uniforms bearing the American flag.[13][14]

The same day, Goudreau and Nieto Quintero—identified as a retired Venezuelan military captain—issued a video claiming responsibility for the assault.[15] On the following day, Goudreau revealed that two detainees were U.S. nationals. Airan Berry and Luke Denman, both ex-Green Berets, were apprehended aboard their "peñero-type boat" by a local fisherman.[16] Opposition leader Juan Guaidó has denied any involvement with the operation.[17]

The Venezuelan administration accused both the United States and its Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of orchestrating the operation with assistance from Colombia.[18] According to Goudreau, Guaidó and two political advisors signed a contract with him worth $213 million in October 2019.[19]

U.S. federal authorities initiated an investigation into Goudreau concerning allegations of arms trafficking.[20] On 8 May 2020, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab formally requested the extradition of Goudreau from the United States. The request also included opposition figures Juan José Rendon and Sergio Vergara, citing their alleged roles in "designing, financing, and executing" the plot against Maduro.[21]

Legal matters

On July 30, 2024, authorities apprehended Goudreau in New York following a federal indictment issued by a Tampa court. He faced 14 charges, including conspiracy, illegal exportation of goods from the United States, and unauthorized possession of a machine gun. The indictment alleged that Goudreau, together with Venezuelan national Yacsy Alvarez, breached U.S. arms regulations by assembling and shipping AR-style firearms, ammunition, suppressors, night vision devices, and other defense-related items to Colombia without the necessary U.S. export permits.

Honors and distinctions

Sergeant First Class Goudreau's awards, medals, and insignia consist of the following:

Badge Combat Infantryman Badge
Badge Parachutist Badge
1st row Bronze Star Medal, awarded thrice with two oak leaf clusters (Army)
Tabs Special Forces Tab and Ranger tab

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Freeze, Colin; Dickson, Janice (May 5, 2020). "A Canadian-American military man, a failed Venezuela coup and a Twitter video". The Globe and Mail. Toronto and Ottawa. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  2. ↑ Bogotá, Julian Borger Joe Parkin Daniels in; McGreal, Chris (May 8, 2020). "'His head wasn't in the world of reality': how the plot to invade Venezuela fell apart". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  3. ↑ Goodman, Joshua (May 1, 2020). "Ex-Green Beret Led Failed Attempt to Oust Venezuela's Maduro". Associated Press. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Venezuela detains two Americans allegedly involved in failed raid to remove Maduro". The Guardian. May 5, 2020. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  5. ↑ Mullen, Pat (September 12, 2024). "Men of War Is the Wild-But-True Tale of a Mississauga Mercenary". POV: Canada's Documentary Magazine. Toronto ON: Point of View Magazine. Retrieved September 12, 2024. Men of War follows Mississauga native turned American mercenary Jordan Goudreau...
  6. ↑ Reynolds, Daniel (September 8, 2024). "Men Of War Review". BriefTake. BriefTake. Retrieved September 12, 2024. The most shocking fact in Men Of War, directed by Jen Gatien and Billy Corben, is that its central soldier of fortune was born in Mississauga.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Faiola, Anthony; Boburg, Shawn (May 10, 2020). "Venezuela raid: How an ex-Green Beret and a defecting general planned to capture Maduro". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  8. ↑ Ward, Alex (May 11, 2020). "The "ridiculous" failed coup attempt in Venezuela, explained". Vox. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Venezuela detains two US citizens over speedboat incursion". BBC News. May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  10. ↑ Faiola, Anthony (May 6, 2020). "From a Miami condo to the Venezuelan coast, how a plan to 'capture' Maduro went rogue". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Don't Tweet About Your Coup". May 5, 2020.
  12. ↑ "MAGA, the CIA, and Silvercorp: The Bizarre Backstory of the World's Most Disastrous Coup". October 26, 2021.
  13. ↑ Venezuelan government says it stopped ‘invasion’ launched from Colombia The Washington Post
  14. ↑ Boat attack on Venezuela port foiled The Canberra Times
  15. ↑ Tiempo, Casa Editorial El (May 4, 2020). "El exmilitar de EE. UU. que se atribuye incursión armada en Venezuela" [The armed incursion in Venezuela is attributed to a former US soldier]. El Tiempo (in español). Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Venezuela's Maduro says two Americans captured in failed invasion attempt". Washington Post.
  17. ↑ Sequera, Vivian; Ellsworth, Brian (May 4, 2020). "Venezuelan authorities detain U.S. citizens allegedly involved in incursion". Reuters. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Venezuela: Two US nationals arrested for plotting to overthrow Maduro regime". The Asian Age. AFP. May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  19. ↑ Phillips, Tom (May 4, 2020). "Venezuela: anti-Maduro battle isn't over as ex-US soldier says he launched raid". The Guardian. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  20. ↑ Goodman, Joshua; Smith, Scott; Lee, Matthew; Herschaft, Randy (May 6, 2020). "Sources: US investigating ex-Green Beret for Venezuela raid". Associated Press. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Venezuela's top prosecutor requests extradition of U.S. veteran accused in plot". Reuters. May 8, 2020. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020 – via uk.reuters.com.

External links

Template:Crisis in Venezuela

Related profiles

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