Secret US operation against Maduro, his pilot was supposed to divert flight for $50 million

US federal agent Edwin Lopez attempted to stage the dramatic arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by secretly contacting his chief pilot, General Bitner Villegas, and suggesting that he divert the president's plane. This was reported by the Associated Press (AP).

In a hangar, agents spoke to several pilots one after the other, pretending to be unaware of their work for the Venezuelan president. Villegas left the agents his contact details; in return for his help, he was to receive up to $50 million.

Lopez, an agent with the US Department of Homeland Security, remained in contact with him even after leaving the service. The US had offered a large reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest on drug trafficking charges.

Although communication via encrypted messages continued for more than a year, the operation ultimately failed. The impetus came from a tip from an informant in the Dominican Republic about Maduro's planes – while Joe Biden was still in office.

The United States has been trying for years to overthrow Maduro, whom it accuses of suppressing democracy in the oil-rich country.

Since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has taken an even tougher stance. This summer, he sent thousands of troops, attack helicopters, and warships to the Caribbean to attack fishing boats suspected of smuggling cocaine from Venezuela. In 13 attacks, including several in the eastern Pacific, US forces killed at least 57 people.

(max)