The Failed U.S. Attempt to Kidnap Maduro Unveiled Like a Cold War Spy Novel!
The English section of webangah News Agency,citing Mehr News Agency,reports that the Associated Press revealed Washington’s unsuccessful effort to arrest Nicolás Maduro,president of Venezuela,through a federal agent.
According to the news agency, a U.S. federal officer made an enticing offer to Maduro’s chief pilot, suggesting he quietly divert Maduro’s plane to a location where American authorities could apprehend him.
The Associated Press states that during a secret meeting, the American intermediary promised the pilot substantial wealth. The tense conversation ended ambiguously as the pilot left but handed his mobile phone number to edwin López, an undercover U.S. agent-possibly indicating his willingness to cooperate with the U.S. government.
this AP report, based on interviews with three current and former U.S. officials as well as one Venezuelan opposition figure, comes amid escalating tensions between then-President Donald Trump’s administration and Venezuela over what Washington described as drug trafficking into the united States.
Earlier in august 2020, Trump authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela and doubled the reward for capturing Maduro-a tactic López referenced in text messages sent to Maduro’s pilot as leverage.
Sixteen-month Covert Operation
this failed plot underscores years of American attempts to topple Maduro and highlights how far these efforts have gone; Washington has accused him of harboring drug traffickers, terrorist groups, and Cuban-backed communist forces.
López remained engaged throughout 16 months-even after retiring in July-communicating with the pilot through encrypted messaging apps.
This untold story features all elements of a Cold War-era spy thriller: luxury private jets, secret meetings at airplane hangars, high-stakes diplomacy-and subtle but unsuccessful attempts by one of Maduro’s closest contacts to betray him.
According to AP documents verified through text message exchanges between López and the pilot-the operation culminated in efforts aimed at sowing doubt within Maduro about his pilot’s loyalty.
On August 7th alone (Gregorian calendar), López wrote: “I’m still waiting for your answer,” attaching a link outlining how the U.S. Department of Justice increased its bounty on Maduro’s capture from $25 million up to $50 million.
As returning to office earlier that year under renewed terms amidst mounting criticism on drug trafficking issues,
Trump has projected increasingly hardline positions against narcotics smuggling networks connected with Venezuela.
Recently he dispatched thousands of troops along with attack helicopters and naval vessels toward Caribbean shores intending to intercept suspicious “fishing boats” suspected cocaine carriers from Venezuela.
Reports indicate more than 57 casualties during thirteen joint operations including actions off Ecuadorian coasts facing eastern Pacific waters were recorded by American forces involved in these missions.
