MIAMI (RTWNews) — The federal agent had a daring pitch for Nicolás Maduro’s chief pilot: All he had to do was divert the Venezuelan president’s plane to a location where U.S. authorities could apprehend him.
In exchange, Lopez assured the pilot during their secret meeting that he would be compensated handsomely. While the pilot left the meeting uncertain, he did provide his cell number, hinting at potential cooperation.
In the following months, Lopez, despite retiring from his role, maintained contact with the pilot through encrypted messaging, developing their rapport into an intriguing plot reminiscent of Cold War spy dramas—high-stakes negotiations, luxurious jets, and critical diplomacy.
Overall, this scheme illustrates the lengths to which the U.S. government has gone in its attempts to unseat Maduro, who is blamed for Venezuela's political decay, drug trafficking, and connections with terrorist organizations.
President Trump's administration has recently intensified military operations in the Caribbean amidst drug trafficking rumors associated with Venezuela, further complicating U.S.-Venezuela relations.
This summer, Trump's administration authorized the CIA for operations inside Venezuela, raising the bounty for Maduro's capture to $50 million, a message Lopez sought to convey to the pilot.
Despite the captivating possibility of collaboration, communication waned as the pilot ultimately blocked Lopez after attempts to reignite the conversation about loyalty and the possible future waiting for his family in the U.S.
The plot began when a tip led to Lopez, initiating a probe into Maduro's jets as they underwent repairs in the Dominican Republic. The agent quickly recognized a golden opportunity: persuading the pilot to cooperate and fly Maduro to a site for capture offered a chance to dismantle the corrupt regime.
On numerous occasions, Lopez met with the pilot in hopes of persuading him to join the cause. Though their negotiations bore little fruit, the pursuit was relentless, with Lopez aiming to fulfill a perceived mission against a tyrant.
While the pilots eventually returned to Venezuela without the jets, Lopez's investigation into the aircraft culminated in significant progress for the U.S. against sanctioned operations and for operation integrity.
The stakes intensified with every communication, ultimately leading to a public confrontation with Maduro's government, highlighting the political risks both in Venezuela and abroad for anyone seeking to challenge the regime.
