The operation, dubbed "Operation Freedom," was led by a group of smugglers, with the former PDVSA employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, serving as a key planner. According to the individual, the group had been planning the escape for months, using a combination of bribes and intimidation to secure the necessary documents and personnel.
Key Players Involved in the Escape Plan
The mastermind behind the escape plan was a wealthy businessman with ties to the Venezuelan military, who had been smuggling migrants to Colombia for years. The individual, who has not been named, was able to secure a team of experienced smugglers, including former Venezuelan naval officers, to carry out the operation.
The former PDVSA employee revealed that the group had been in contact with the Venezuelan authorities, bribing officials to turn a blind eye to their activities. However, as the group prepared to set sail, the Venezuelan navy detected their vessel and launched a pursuit.
Vessel's Route and Smuggling Operations
The "El Jazmin" was a cargo ship that had been chartered by the smuggling group, which set sail from the Venezuelan port of La Guaira bound for Colombia. The vessel was carrying over 1,000 migrants, including women and children, who were being smuggled to Colombia in exchange for a fee.
The former employee described the vessel's route as a complex series of maneuvers, involving the use of false documentation and bribes to avoid detection by Venezuelan authorities.
US Involvement and Drone Strike Fears
The former PDVSA employee revealed that the smugglers had been aware of the US's presence in the region, including the use of drones to monitor the Venezuelan coast. As a result, they feared a US drone strike, which would have resulted in the loss of the vessel and the deaths of the migrants on board.
The group had taken precautions to avoid detection, including the use of encryption to communicate with each other and the use of false documentation to disguise the vessel's true purpose.
The operation was ultimately thwarted by the Venezuelan authorities, who arrested several members of the smuggling group and confiscated the vessel. The former PDVSA employee has gone into hiding, fearing for his safety after revealing the details of the operation.
The incident highlights the complex web of smuggling operations in Venezuela, which involve corrupt officials, wealthy businessmen, and migrant smugglers.
The US has been monitoring the situation closely, with officials expressing concerns about the safety of migrants and the use of smuggling vessels to evade detection.
The incident also raises questions about the role of the Venezuelan military in the smuggling operations, with some officials suggesting that the military may be involved in the trafficking of migrants.
The Venezuelan government has denied any involvement in the smuggling operations, with officials claiming that they are working to crack down on corruption and smuggling in the country.