US feds tried to entice Maduro's pilot to help kidnap him

A federal agent proposed a scheme to Nicolas Maduro's chief pilot, offering wealth in exchange for secretly rerouting Maduro's plane for capture. Edwin Lopez engaged with the pilot over 16 months, using encrypted messaging, after their initial meeting where the pilot showed interest but didn't commit.

The unsuccessful plan highlights U.S. efforts to unseat Maduro, accused of decimating democracy and supporting crime. Trump authorized covert actions against Maduro, raising the bounty on his capture to $50 million.

Despite attempts to persuade the pilot, Bitner Villegas, Lopez faced resistance. After being confronted, Villegas ultimately blocked Lopez's messages, indicating he would not betray Maduro.