Former Green Beret claims to have led failed plot to overthrow Venezuelan president Maduro

‘There was no chance they were going to succeed without direct US military intervention’

Membest of the special forces unit are seen at a shore, after Venezuela's government announced a failed "mercenary" incursion, in Macuto, Venezuela (REUTERS)

A former US Army Special Forces member has claimed responsibility for an alleged attempt to overthrow Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.

The ex-Green Beret named Jordan Goudreau has reportedly taken responsibility for the attack, which took place on Sunday night and was said to have led to eight deaths.

The men were allegedly training dozens of deserters from Venezuela’s security forces at secret camps inside neighbouring Colombia.

The attempt was said to have began with a predawn sea-to-land raid near the South American country’s heavily guarded capital, with the intention of the cross border raid leading to the president’s arrest.

However, the fighters purportedly did not have enough funding or government support to sustain a victory against Mr Maduro’s larger army and intelligence networks.

“You’re not going to take out Mr Maduro with 300 hungry, untrained men,” said Ephraim Mattos, a former US Navy SEAL.

“There was no chance they were going to succeed without direct US military intervention.”

An Associated Press investigation found that Mr Goudreau had allegedly been working with a retired Venezuelan army general now facing US narcotics charges.

“A daring amphibious raid was launched from the border of Colombia deep into the heart of Caracas,” Mr Goudreau said alongside retired Venezuelan Captain Javier Nieto in a video from an undisclosed location.

“Our units have been activated in the south, west and east of Venezuela.”

Mr Goudreau claimed that 60 men were still on the ground and that calls were being activated inside Venezuela, however, none of their claims of an ongoing operation could be independently verified.

The US has long had a strained relationship with Venezuela, and imposed sanctions in 2019 as a hardening of its efforts to undermine Mr Maduro, who replaced Hugo Chavez, after his death in 2013. Donald Trump was among dozens of western leaders ho have recognised opposition politician Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president.

Supporters of Mr Maduro, who has failed to reverse economic decline and shortages in his country, accuse the US of interference and attempted regime change.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.