Erik prince,โ the founder of controversial private security firm Blackwater, has reportedly claimed thatโ individuals involved in a failed 2019โค incursion into Venezuelaโฃ are now deceased. The statement, made โขduring a recent โpodcast appearance, sheds light on a little-discussed episode of attempted regime change and raises questions about the ongoing dynamics between Venezuela’s government and external actors.
Prince‘s comments centerโ around a โpreviously reported operation allegedly backed by Venezuelan defectors and U.S.private military contractors aimed at removing President Nicolรกs Maduro from power. The effort, launched in May 2019 from the Caribbean, quickly faltered with theโ captureโ of dozens of โparticipants, including โformer U.S. โฃGreen Berets.Prince, whoโข has publicly discussed offering a counteroffer for Maduro’s capture, โขindicated that thoseโ directly involved in the planningโฃ and execution of the incursion โare no longer alive, though he โdid not specify how or when they died.
Throughout his career,Prince has been aโค prominent,and often controversial,figure in international security. He founded Blackwater, whichโค gainedโค notoriety through itsโ contracts with the U.S. government duringโ the conflictsโค in Iraq and โฃAfghanistan.The company faced notable scrutiny over allegations of excessive force and operational control issues. Following Blackwater’s dissolution, Prince continued toโค establish โcompanies โคin theโ military andโ air transport sectors, solidifying hisโ influence in private defense and global strategic operations.
In the podcast, Princeโ referenced previous statements regardingโ Maduro’s potential removal from power. The 2019 incursion attemptโ occurred amidst a period of heightened political instability in โVenezuela, with the U.S. and numerous other countries recognizing opposition leader Juanโค Guaidรณ asโฃ the legitimate president. The failed operation and Prince’s recent remarks โฃunderscore the โcomplex and often shadowy world of private military intervention and the enduring tensions surrounding Venezuela’s political future.
