Second Green Beret captured in Venezuela ‘coup’ grilled in new video
A second former US Green Beret captured in Venezuela following a botched coup attempt against President Nicolás Maduro was shown being interrogated in a pair of video clips released Thursday.
Airan Berry, 41, said in the first clip that he now knows his actions were illegal as he revealed the contract outlining the ill-fated mission he said was signed by coup ringleader Jordan Goudreau and Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, The Daily Mail reported.
“I know that it’s illegal now, before it was a different understanding,” he said about why he was training irregular forces in Colombia.
He was questioned about whether his human rights had been respected during his detention.
“Yes, as far as I’ve experienced, yes,” Berry replied.
A second video was released later, in which Berry wore different clothing and appeared disheveled, the website reported.
Berry was busted with American Luke Denman, 34, and six Venezuelans on Monday as Maduro’s foiiled their half-baked plot.
Denman appeared in a video shown during the Venezuelan strongman’s news conference the day before.
He said in his video that the Americans were hired to secure an airport during the coup that could be used to transfer Maduro to the US.
‘”As far as I know, Luke and I were to be at the airport to bring in more,” Berry said in the first video released Thursday.
Berry held up a document that he claimed was a contract between fellow former Green Beret Goudreau, who hired him for the mission, and opposition leader Guaidó.
“This contract was posted several days ago by Jordan Goudreau. It outlines my responsibilities with Silvercorp signed by Juan Guaidó, Jordan Goudreau and Juan Rendón,” Berry added.
In the second video clip released minutes later, Berry is asked about his service in the US and about Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s comments about the two American prisoners on Wednesday.
“Mike Pompeo spoke about your arrest. What do you think about that?” the unidentified interviewer asked.
‘I am not aware of that,’ Berry replied.
Pompeo said Wednesday that the US would use “every tool” to get Berry and Denman released. The White House has denied any US involvement in the plot.