US Authorities Arrest Army Green Beret Over Alleged Insider Trading on Venezuela Raid

The US Department of Justice has taken action against a high-ranking Army officer, Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke, for allegedly exploiting classified information to place wagers on a sensitive military operation in Venezuela. The operation, aimed at detaining former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, reportedly led to the officer winning approximately $400,000 from $33,000 in bets. According to the indictment, Van Dyke created a Polymarket account in late December 2025 and made multiple bets on the outcome of the operation, including the potential invasion of Venezuela and the removal of Maduro. The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission has also filed an insider trading complaint, citing the officer's actions as a serious breach of trust and a threat to national security. The case has sparked concerns about the use of confidential information for personal gain and the potential risks associated with prediction markets. Van Dyke, an active-duty soldier with the US Army Special Forces, is accused of violating federal law and compromising the safety of American service members. The investigation has led to a wider discussion about the regulation of prediction markets and the need for stricter controls to prevent insider trading and protect national security.