Venezuelan state television has broadcast a video of captured American Luke Denman, in which he said he was instructed to seize control of Caracas’ airport and bring in a plane to fly President Nicolas Maduro to the United States.
Venezuelan authorities have arrested Denman, another US citizen Airan Berry, and 11 other “terrorists” in what Mr Maduro has called a failed plot coordinated with Washington to enter the country via the Caribbean coast and oust him.
US President Donald Trump has denied involvement while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US government would use “every tool” to secure the Americans return, if they were being held in Venezuela.
Mr Denman, 34, in the video statement from an undisclosed location, answered questions from a person off-camera speaking in English.
He said his mission was to secure the airport and establish outer security, though it was unclear how they planned to get Mr Maduro on a plane.
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