Part 5/9:
Unknown to the team at the time, U.S. intelligence agencies, especially the ODNI (Office of the Director of National Intelligence), were monitoring the situation. UNbeknownst to the operators, the CIA had assets embedded in the region, and these assets were possibly feeding information to Maduro’s side. There were indications that the Venezuelan regime was effectively aware of the operation, even without direct involvement, simply by virtue of communications intercepts.
The operator suspected that the boat’s sabotage might not have been accidental, hinting at internal treachery—“sold out” by American contacts. This betrayal would prove catastrophic for the operation, as it was no longer possible to execute the initial plan fully.