Inside the Operation: The US's Daring Capture of Nicolas Maduro

Mon Jan 05 2026 07:21:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The unprecedented military operation against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has raised eyebrows globally. Details emerge from the US's meticulously planned intervention, highlighting a strategic military maneuver unseen since the Cold War.

A covert US military operation, named 'Operation Absolute Resolve', resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, alongside his wife, in a surprise raid involving extensive planning and execution. The operation has drawn both support and condemnation, igniting debates surrounding the implications of US military intervention in Latin America without Congressional approval.

For months, US intelligence had been closely surveilling Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, tracking his every move, including personal details like his meals and attire. After extensive preparations, the military initiated 'Operation Absolute Resolve' in December, ultimately resulting in a historic and controversial intervention.

On Friday night, President Trump authorized the mission, which had been held off in anticipation of optimal conditions. With maximum precision and secrecy, the operation unfolded, utilizing new military strategies unseen since the Cold War, striking key locations in Caracas.

As the mission commenced, chaos erupted in the Venezuelan capital. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud explosions and seeing jets and helicopters flying overhead. Reports indicated that US forces skirmished with armed personnel as they approached Maduro's fortified hideout.

Gen. Dan Caine, the highest-ranking US military officer, detailed the operation's execution: elite Delta Force members faced immediate hostility, with Maduro attempting to escape, but ultimately he and his wife were apprehended and transported back to the US.

Pending criminal charges await Maduro in New York, with many political leaders calling into question the legality and ethics of the operation, citing lack of Congressional oversight. The move has ignited a whirlwind of reactions within international circles, challenging the future of US relations in Latin America.