US federal agent admits attempting to recruit Maduro for kidnap plot
(MENAFN) A US federal agent reportedly attempted to recruit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s personal pilot in a secret plot to capture the leader and hand him over to American authorities on drug trafficking charges, according to reports citing multiple officials and an opponent of Maduro.
The operation allegedly involved Homeland Security agent Edwin Lopez, who met with General Bitner Villegas, Maduro’s pilot, in the Dominican Republic in 2024. Lopez purportedly offered money and protection in exchange for diverting Maduro’s plane to a location where US authorities could arrest him. Villegas remained noncommittal but continued exchanging messages with Lopez for over a year, even after the agent retired in July 2025.
Lopez reportedly cited a US Justice Department announcement doubling the bounty for Maduro’s capture to $50 million, urging Villegas to “be Venezuela’s hero.” The pilot ultimately rejected the approach, labeling Lopez a “coward” and ending all communication.
These revelations emerge amid increased US military and intelligence pressure on Venezuela. President Donald Trump has reportedly authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside the country and deployed warships, aircraft, and thousands of troops to the Caribbean as part of what Washington calls an anti-drug campaign. In recent months, US strikes on vessels near Venezuela and Colombia have reportedly resulted in dozens of deaths.
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