Above photo: Colombian narco-paramilitary gang Los Rastrojos involved in the dismantled Operation Red October.
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.
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.”
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.
More information about the operation will be revealed in coming days, once the investigation by authorities is deepened with the testimonies of the detainees.