American captured over alleged Venezuelan coup plot says Donald Trump ordered plan
An alleged US mercenary captured in Venezuela has said he was part of a plan ordered by Donald Trump to kidnap president Maduro.
In an apparent confession on state TV, Luke Denman, who was arrested alongside other alleged mercenaries, said he had been sent across the border from Colombia to secure an airport to fly Mr Maduro America.
In a separate televised address, Mr Maduro said Donald Trump was behind the alleged plot to oust him, and ordered the US nationals to be tried in Venezuela.
In a video broadcast Mr Deman admitted his role in the alleged plot. "I was helping Venezuelans take back control of their country,” he told an interviewer hidden from the camera.
The veracity of the comments is unclear, as was the conditions under which the video had been made. Mr Denman is being held by the Venezuelan authorities.
Speaking after the Denman video was played, Mr Maduro said: “Donald Trump is the direct chief of this invasion.”
The US government has denied any involvement. Last night Russia said the US denial over the alleged plot was "unconvincing".
More to follow.
