Detained American claims he plotted Maduro's capture in Venezuela TV statement

A former U.S. soldier captured in Venezuela said on Wednesday that he previously been contracted by a Florida security firm to seize control of Caracas' airport and generate a plane to fly President Nicolas Maduro to the United States.

Venezuelan authorities on Monday arrested the person, Luke Denman, along with fellow U.S. citizen Airan Berry and 11 others, in what Maduro has called a failed plot coordinated with Washington to oust him.

During questioning broadcast on state television, Denman said the firm, Silvercorp USA, had signed a contract with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to seek Maduro's removal. A Guaido advisor told CNN on Wednesday that he previously signed an exploratory agreement, nonetheless it had never been finalized and the opposition did not support the attempted incursion.

U.S. President Donald Trump has denied involvement. A senior Trump administration official said Maduro's accusations of a U.S. role "aren't credible" and the administration remained centered on "achieving a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the U.S. government would use "every tool" to secure the Americans' return, if indeed they were being held in Venezuela.

In the video, Denman, 34, answered questions from a person off-camera speaking in English

Denman, who looked calm and wore a gray t-shirt, said his mission was to secure the airport and establish outer security. He did not give details on how his group planned to get Maduro on a plane.

It had been unclear when or where in fact the video was made, and where Denman and Berry are being held.

In March, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Maduro and twelve other current and former Venezuelan officials with"narco-terrorism" and the Trump administration offered an incentive of $15 million for information resulting in his arrest.

"I was helping Venezuelans get back control of their country," Denman, a former special functions forces member, said in the video.

Denman said he and Berry were contracted by Jordan Goudreau, a U.S. military veteran who leads Silvercorp, to teach 50 to 60 Venezuelans in Colombia in January for the operation. Goudreau supplied the group with equipment, Denman said.

Goudreau confirmed his role as organizer of the procedure in media interviews on Sunday and told Reuters on Monday that Denman and Berry were "my guys." He could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday.

Venezuelan authorities said they arrested the group by the isolated coastal town of Chuao, about 60 kilometers (40 miles) west of Caracas' airport, after locals raised suspicions. Authorities published images of what they said was the group's boat, packed with ammunition, weapons and communication equipment.

Eight people mixed up in same operation were killed on Sunday in La Guaira state, near Caracas, Maduro's government said.

During a televised virtual press conference on Wednesday, Maduro originally said he'd show videos of both Americans, but did not conclude showing a video of Berry. He said Venezuela would seek Goudreau's extradition.

"Donald Trump is the direct chief of the invasion," Maduro added.

Guaido's team, in a statement earlier this week, said that they had "no relationship with any business in the security and defense branch," including Silvercorp.

But on Wednesday, Juan Rendon, a Guaido advisor and person in his strategic committee, told CNN that he previously signed an"exploratory agreement" with Silvercorp to get the capture of members of Maduro's government "to provide them to justice."

Rendon said the preliminary agreement was never executed or completed and Goudreau sent the soldiers on a "botched suicide" mission without Guaido's support.

After Denman's televised statement, a U.S. STATE DEPT. spokesman said that "due to privacy considerations" it could haven't any further comment about both Americans alleged to be in Venezuelan custody.