Fugitive Green Beret Linked to Venezuela Coup Faces Arrest After Court No-Show

Tue Dec 09 2025 14:52:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Federal authorities in Tampa issue an arrest warrant for Jordan Goudreau, a former Green Beret involved in a failed coup attempt in Venezuela, after missing a court hearing tied to his pre-trial release conditions. His connections to a controversial documentary also raise eyebrows about his intentions.

A federal judge in Tampa has issued an arrest warrant for Jordan Goudreau, a former Green Beret accused of plotting a failed invasion of Venezuela. Goudreau did not appear at a court hearing related to his pre-trial release, which has raised concerns about his intentions to flee. The case has gained attention due to Goudreau's connection to a filmmaker who has accused him of threatening behavior and deceit amid the production of a documentary on the failed coup attempt. Goudreau's controversial past and links to political turmoil in Venezuela continue to shape the narrative surrounding this incident.

TAMPA, Fla. — A federal judge has issued an arrest warrant for Jordan Goudreau, a former Green Beret known for his involvement in a bungled coup attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Goudreau failed to attend a court hearing on Friday, leading Judge Christopher Tuite to take this action after waiting for 30 minutes for him to arrive.

Previously arrested last year on charges relating to weapons smuggling tied to his coup plot amidst the Trump administration, Goudreau had been released under questionable circumstances after filmmaker Jen Gatien offered her Manhattan apartment as collateral. However, Gatien has since alleged that Goudreau exhibited abusive behavior, threatening her and expressing his intent to evade judicial scrutiny.

During testimony, Gatien characterized their relationship as having soured extensively since she began working on a documentary titled Men of War, which presents a sympathetic view of Goudreau's disastrous plans to train Venezuelan deserters for a covert operation aimed at ousting Maduro.

In a startling turn of events, the evidence presented included Goudreau's attempts to manipulate witnesses and his threats of violence against those who might support Gatien’s claims in court. This has further raised alarms about his stability and intentions, as he allegedly sought to recover firearms from associates in violation of court orders.

The fallout from Goudreau's plot, referred to as the 'Bay of Piglets,' serves as a cautionary tale regarding regime change efforts orchestrated from the U.S. His story reflects the broader themes of militarized intervention and the potential consequences on local populations as well as the international diplomatic landscape.

As this drama unfolds, it underscores crucial questions about the ethics of armed interventions in foreign nations and the complicated narratives surrounding individuals who attempt to shape foreign conflicts through private military endeavors.