Trump administration attended secret meetings last year with rebellious military officers from Venezuela to discuss coup plans against President Nicolás Maduro, reveals American officials and a former Venezuelan military commander who was a part of it.
United States said Venezuela has suffered too much under Nicolas Maduro government and attending a meeting with those who desire for democracy and bring positive change is not a bad idea.
However, one of the Venezuelan military commanders was on the corrupt Venezuela officials’ sanctions list by Washington for range of serious crimes like wounding civilians in thousands, jailing hundreds of political prisoners and torturing critics and so it was eventually decided not to help them.
Meanwhile, most Latin American leaders agree that Maduro is an increasingly authoritarian ruler and over the years he has ruined the economy of Venezuela.
Maduro said the allegations are false and United States is trying to depose him.
Apart from the coup plot Maduro’s government has fended some small-scale attacks like exploring drones last month while the president was delivering a speech. About a year ago Trump said Washington had a military option for the country. However, American allies condemned it and encouraged rebellious military officers to meet with his administration again.
Series of such coup plotting meetings were held in foreign lands since last fall and Washington has been asked to support them with encrypted radios as secured communication system is required.
Until now no such support material has been provided by Washington.
