U.S. Secret Offer to Maduro’s Pilot Revealed
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), a U.S. federal agent attempted to persuade Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s chief pilot to redirect Maduro’s plane to a location where U.S. authorities could intercept it. During a covert meeting, the agent reportedly told the pilot that he could “become a very rich man” if he cooperated.
The pilot ultimately rejected the offer, but he did provide the agent, identified as Edwin Lopez, with his phone number—a gesture interpreted as potential willingness to collaborate with the U.S. government. The report states that the operation took place during the Trump administration, at a time of escalating tensions between the two countries over drug trafficking accusations. During this period, the U.S. doubled its bounty for Maduro’s capture to $50 million.
The plan, which unfolded over 16 months and ultimately failed, was part of a broader covert U.S. effort against Maduro’s regime. The report also notes that Lopez maintained contact with the pilot through encrypted messaging even after leaving government service, suggesting the operation carried elements reminiscent of Cold War–style intelligence missions.
