Part 4/8:
Embarking on this diplomatic mission meant that every minute counted. Early on a Friday morning, the negotiator and his team boarded an Air Force plane from Washington D.C., flying into Caracas—an unusual occurrence given the lack of a White House official's presence there for years. The negotiation began with the Venezuelan government, and eventually, discussions directly with Nicolás Maduro himself.
With clear directives from President Trump, the team was tasked to prioritize the repatriation of not only the hostages but also Venezuelan nationals in the U.S. The negotiator's strategy involved insisting that the Venezuelan government should cover the cost for the planes and ensure a safe return for the detained individuals.