At a Glance
- U.S. forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife overnight in the ‘Absolute Resolve’ raid.
- The extraction lasted less than 30 minutes and involved a replica of Maduro’s presidential compound.
- At least 7 explosions were heard in Caracas during the operation.
- Why it matters: The U.S. is now asserting control over Venezuela and may govern until a new leader is chosen.
In a night-time raid dubbed Absolute Resolve, U.S. forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were transported by helicopter to a U.S. warship before heading to New York for trial.
The extraction, which lasted less than 30 minutes, involved a replica of Maduro’s presidential compound and waiting for a weather window that would allow low-altitude flight.
- 7 explosions were heard in Caracas.
- Casualties reported among civilians and military.
- One U.S. helicopter struck by fire but returned safely.
Military Planning and Execution
General Dan Caine said U.S. forces rehearsed the maneuver for months, learning details of Maduro’s schedule and even his pets. The team practiced on a house identical to the presidential compound, waiting for a weather window that would allow low-altitude flight.
General Dan Caine stated:
> “We think, we develop, we train, we rehearse, we debrief, we rehearse again, and again.”
President Donald Trump said:
> “They actually built a house which was identical to the one they went into with all the same, all that steel all over the place.”
President Donald Trump added:
> “The weather broke just enough, clearing a path that only the most skilled aviators in the world could move through.”
Political Reactions
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded the U.S. release Maduro and called him Venezuela’s rightful leader, while saying the country was willing to have respectful relations. Local resident Yanire Lucas reported hearing explosions at 1:50 a.m. near her home.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said:
> “We are willing to have respectful relations.”
Broader Context and Future Plans
The raid followed a series of U.S. strikes on drug-carrying boats since early September, including a Dec 29 drone strike on a suspected cartel docking area. President Trump said the U.S. will run Venezuela until a new leader is chosen and that boots on the ground are possible.
President Donald Trump said:
> “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to.”
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early September | U.S. strikes on drug boats |
| Dec 29 | Drone strike on suspected cartel docking area |
| Saturday night | Maduro capture and extraction |
The operation marked a dramatic escalation of U.S. involvement in Venezuelan affairs.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife overnight in a 30-minute raid.
- The operation involved a replica presidential compound and low-altitude flight.
- The U.S. plans to govern Venezuela until a new leader is chosen.
The U.S. now asserts control over Venezuela, with plans to oversee governance and oil until a new leader is chosen.
