A U.S. federal agent attempted to bribe Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s chief pilot to divert the leader’s plane for capture in a covert operation spanning 16 months, according to a new report from the Associated Press.
The effort, part of a broader campaign by the United States to remove Maduro from power, ultimately failed, leaving the strongman in control of the oil-rich nation.
Newsweek reached out to the State Department and Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The U.S. has recently combined covert operations with a growing military presence to pressure Maduro, whom Washington blames for drug trafficking. Warships, attack aircraft, and intelligence assets have been deployed to the Caribbean to target suspected narco-smuggling boats, signaling readiness for more aggressive action.
The 16-month plot to bribe Maduro’s chief pilot illustrates how Washington pairs clandestine operations with military power to destabilize the regime while projecting strategic pressure in the region.
What To Know
The agent, identified as Edwin Lopez, met secretly with Maduro’s chief pilot, General Bitner Villegas, and offered him a fortune to divert the Venezuelan president’s plane so U.S. authorities could take him into custody, the Associated Press reported. The pilot responded cautiously, leaving the meeting noncommittal, though he provided Lopez with his cellphone number, suggesting potential interest in collaborating.
Operation Unfolds
The report draws on interviews with three current and former U.S. officials, as well as one of Maduro’s opponents, and examines text messages exchanged between Lopez and the pilot. Despite retiring from government service in July, Lopez continued communicating with the pilot for months via an encrypted messaging app, demonstrating the persistent nature of the effort.
Escalating U.S. Pressure
Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has intensified his approach toward Venezuela. The administration authorized covert CIA operations in the country and doubled the bounty for Maduro’s capture on federal drug-trafficking charges. This bounty, which reached $50 million, was explicitly referenced by Lopez in a text message to the pilot, according to the Associated Press, underscoring the effort to incentivize cooperation.
Meanwhile, U.S. military forces have targeted suspected drug-smuggling operations in the Caribbean, deploying troops, attack helicopters, and warships. At least 57 individuals have been killed in 13 U.S. strikes, including operations in the eastern Pacific Ocean, highlighting the escalating military pressure accompanying diplomatic and covert efforts.
What Happens Next
Although the plot to flip Maduro’s pilot failed, it highlights the potential for Washington’s campaign to evolve into a broader conflict. With U.S. warships and aircraft already deployed near Venezuelan waters and covert operations continuing behind the scenes, any miscalculation could ignite a confrontation with regional or global repercussions.
