A Former Soldier's Disappearance and a Failed Venezuelan Invasion
Jordan Goudreau, a 49-year-old former Green Beret, is now wanted by authorities after failing to appear in court. He was supposed to discuss whether he should be sent back to jail for violating his release conditions.
Background
Goudreau was arrested last year for attempting to smuggle weapons into Venezuela as part of a failed 2020 plot to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
He was released from jail after a few weeks when filmmaker Jen Gatien put up her $2 million apartment as collateral for his bond. However, Gatien recently testified that Goudreau had become abusive and threatening, sending her text messages saying he wouldn't return to jail and planned to leave the country.
A judge issued an arrest warrant for Goudreau after he failed to show up for the third day of the bond hearing.
Current Status
- Goudreau's lawyer stated she had not spoken to him and did not know why he was absent.
- A probation officer reported that Goudreau's ankle monitor was still in the Tampa area, where he was living while undergoing VA-supervised therapy.
The Failed Venezuelan Invasion Plan
Goudreau's plot to invade Venezuela was documented in Gatien's recent film, "Men of War." The documentary reveals how Goudreau trained Venezuelan army deserters in Colombia to carry out a raid on Venezuela. The plan was exposed by the Associated Press two days before the incursion and was quickly thwarted by Venezuelan security forces.
Several would-be freedom fighters were killed, and two of Goudreau's U.S. Special Forces associates were imprisoned in Venezuela.
Souring Relationship with Filmmaker
Since the documentary's release, Goudreau and Gatien's relationship has deteriorated. Gatien accused Goudreau of deceit, financial coercion, and threatening behavior in court filings. She also shared screenshots of angry text messages where Goudreau vowed he would not return to prison.
Media Appearances and Allegations
Goudreau has recently appeared as a media pundit, gaining popularity among Trump supporters and "radical leftist" critics. In interviews, he has criticized the CIA and State Department, accusing them of sabotaging his mission. He also dismissed Trump's claims about Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as a "CIA fabrication."
Upcoming Trial
Goudreau is scheduled to go on trial in February on charges of failing to obtain an export license for shipping roughly 60 AR-15 rifles to clandestine training camps in Colombia.
According to U.S. officials, Goudreau and others "conspired to export AR-type firearms, night vision devices, laser sights, and other equipment from the United States to Colombia without the required export licenses." These unlicensed exports were intended to support activities in Venezuela.
