A former U.S. Green Beret who attempted to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has become a fugitive after disappearing months ago, according to federal court documents. Jordan G. Goudreau, arrested in 2024 on charges of illegally exporting military equipment to Colombia for use in Venezuela, failed to appear at a bond hearing last October.

Court filings reveal that Goudreau's ankle monitor was discovered wrapped in aluminum foil and hidden in furniture after he vanished. The Justice Department said he had been under care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility before leaving and has since evaded capture despite ongoing efforts. His bond guarantor, filmmaker Jennifer Gatien, stated he explicitly threatened not to return to jail.

Goudreau, who served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, led a failed 2020 coup attempt called "Operation Gideon" that involved recruiting disaffected Venezuelan officials. The mission, which cost 220 million and was dubbed the "Bay of Piglets," ended in disaster when Venezuelan forces killed eight mercenaries and captured 13 others, including two U.S. citizens. Maduro has blamed the U.S. government for the plot, though authorities deny involvement.