At a press conference, Venezuelan National Assembly (AN) deputy, Freddy Bernal, reported on the results of an investigation by the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) in Caracas, on the so-called Operation Red October.
This operation aimed to assassinate several civilians and soldiers and damage military infrastructure and was allegedly led by former anti-Chavista deputy Juan Guaidó.
Bernal stressed that the operations were organized by a subject born in Colombia, but who has North American nationality, named Ben Smith Benson.
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Denunciamos la Operación Octubre Rojo: encabezada en #Táchira por Ben Smith Benson, alias Luis Alberto Medina Guzmán, ciudadano norteamericano, mercenario formado en Colombia y EEUU en las artes militares y con acciones de guerra electrónica en Medio Oriente. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/jAwpLAYtkq
— Freddy Bernal (@FreddyBernal) January 26, 2021
The parliamentarian specified that Benson’s objective was “to sabotage the SECODENA antennas of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB).” Bernal emphasized that it was designed to minimize reactions to any armed incursion of a paramilitary nature against Venezuela “from Colombia.”
El cabecilla de esta Operación es Juan Guaidó. Se buscaba sabotear antenas del SECODENA de la FANB para evitar alguna reacción contra ataques desde Colombia; además de liquidar actores políticos como el Dip. Yhon Luna; José Belisario, vocero del Protectorado y mi persona. 2/3 pic.twitter.com/LDRzAl1jzj
— Freddy Bernal (@FreddyBernal) January 26, 2021
According to the DGCIM investigations, Benson’s mission involved executing several civilians and soldiers, including Deputy Yhon Luna, Rafael Belisario (president of Gas Táchira) and deputy Bernal himself.
Following the investigations, several people were arrested for collaborating with and providing information to Benson. Among those detained are a woman named Karelys Silva, aka “La Negra,” and Jean Carlos Roa, aka “Porki,” related to the Colombian drug paramilitary gang Los Rastrojos.
La DGCIM ha dado captura a dos individuos en este caso: Jean Carlos Roa, alias Porkis; y Karelys Silva, alias La Negra. Ambos se encuentran a la orden de las autoridades. ¡Mi felicitación a la DGCIM por garantizar la Paz de la República! 3/3 pic.twitter.com/oD0iglOekZ
— Freddy Bernal (@FreddyBernal) January 26, 2021
More information about the operation will be revealed in coming days, once the investigation by authorities is deepened with the testimonies of the detainees.
Featured image: Colombian narco-paramilitary gang Los Rastrojos involved in the dismantled Operation Red October (Photo: File).
Translation: OT/JRE/OH
