U.S. Agent's Bold Plan to Recruit Maduro's Pilot Disclosed

Wed Oct 29 2025 06:00:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A detailed report on the daring scheme of a U.S. agent attempting to turn Nicolás Maduro's chief pilot against the Venezuelan leader.

The story unfolds a covert operation where U.S. agent Edwin Lopez attempted to convince Nicolás Maduro's chief pilot, Gen. Bitner Villegas, to divert the Venezuelan president's plane, offering wealth and glory in return. This ambitious plan reveals the ongoing tension between the U.S. and Venezuela and exposes the lengths authorities will go to overshadow the Maduro regime. Despite the complexities and risks involved, Lopez tirelessly pursued this strategy over many months, reflecting a relentless commitment to justice against perceived corruption in Venezuela.

MIAMI (AP) — The federal agent had a daring pitch for Nicolás Maduro’s chief pilot: All he had to do was surreptitiously divert the Venezuelan president’s plane to a place where U.S. authorities could nab the strongman.

The agent, Edwin Lopez, proposed rich rewards for the pilot’s cooperation after initiating clandestine meetings that unfolded over 16 months.

The scheme showcases ongoing U.S. efforts to undermine Maduro, framed as a Cold War-style spy operation with the promise of wealth and fame for aiding in a presidential coup.

Despite Lopez’s attempts to persuade Gen. Bitner Villegas, a trusted ally of Maduro, the high stakes of turning against the Venezuelan leader complicated the scenario. Lopez’s dedication to the mission persisted even after he officially retired, highlighting a commitment to justice against government corruption.

The proposed plan hinged on utilizing the pilot's insider knowledge of Maduro's flights and reliance on tips from informants about the Venezuelan regime's aircraft maintenance violations. The pilot ultimately opted to remain loyal to Maduro, even amid growing tensions within the Venezuelan military.

The interaction and pressure between U.S. authorities and Venezuelan government officials have underscored the fragile international relations surrounding Maduro's regime, with ongoing investigations and seizures of his aircraft further complicating the landscape.