Venezuela issues prison sentences to 15 people for participating in failed invasion

SANAA, Aug 15 (YPA) –  A Venezuelan court sentenced on Friday 15 people to more than 20 years in prison for participating in a plot to a failed invasion, which President Nicolas Maduro considered an attempt to overthrow him.

These sentences come a week after the issuance of a prison sentence of 20 years on two former American soldiers who were convicted of this scheme, which was revealed as soon as armed men landed on a beach in the country in May.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tariq William Saab said that among those sentenced to 24 years imprisonment is Captain Antonio Sequoia, accused of leading the invasion.

He added that the 15 Venezuelans “confessed to charges of terrorism, rebellion and conspiracy” in the failed invasion that began on May 3 from Makoto, less than an hour from the capital, Caracas.

Saab stated that 82 people were arrested in connection with this operation.

The attacking group had received training in Colombia, but Venezuela was able to obtain information about it as they were waiting for the attackers.

President Maduro confirmed that the operation was a plot to assassinate him and install opposition leader Juan Guaidó in his place, accusing US President Donald Trump of direct responsibility for this operation, which Caracas said resulted in the killing of 8 attackers, while Washington and Bogota denied any involvement in this invasion.