At a Glance
- US forces carried out a nighttime raid to seize Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
- Operation, dubbed “Absolute Resolve,” involved helicopters, a warship, and was preceded by months of planning.
- Maduro and his wife were flown to a US warship for trial in New York.
- Why it matters: It marks a dramatic escalation of US military action in Venezuela and raises questions about legality and governance.
In a covert operation that unfolded overnight, US forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, transporting them aboard a warship for trial. The raid, called “Absolute Resolve,” followed months of planning and a series of earlier strikes on suspected drug vessels. The move signals a new level of US involvement in Venezuelan politics.
Operation Overview
The raid began at night, with US helicopters approaching the presidential compound in Caracas under low-visibility conditions. Commanders had rehearsed the assault on a replica of the compound, even using “massive blowtorches” to cut steel walls if needed. The operation lasted less than 30 minutes and involved at least seven explosions in Caracas.
President Trump said:
> “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to.”
The US described the raid as dark and deadly, with the lights of Caracas largely turned off.
Planning and Execution
General Dan Caine explained that US forces had rehearsed their maneuvers for months, learning Maduro’s routine and personal details. He added that the weather had to break just enough to allow low-altitude helicopter ingress. A helicopter was struck by fire during the approach but returned safely.
General Dan Caine said:
> “We think, we develop, we train, we rehearse, we debrief, we rehearse again, and again.”
- Operation name: Absolute Resolve
- Target: Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores
- Transport: Helicopters to US warship, then to New York
- Earlier US strikes: September drug-boat raids, Dec. 29 facility strike
Aftermath and Legal Implications
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded Maduro’s release and called him the rightful leader, while also opening a dialogue with the US. The US announced it would direct Venezuela’s governance until a new leader is chosen. President Trump said the move was not a “boot on the ground” but a decisive action.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said:
> “We are willing to have respectful relations.”
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September (early) | US strikes on suspected drug boats |
| Dec. 29 | US drone strike on Venezuelan docking facility |
| Overnight Saturday | “Absolute Resolve” raid on Maduro |
Key Takeaways
- The raid marks a new chapter in US-Venezuelan relations.
- Maduro and his wife are slated for trial in New York.
- The operation raises sovereignty and legality questions.
The raid marks a new chapter in US-Venezuelan relations, raising questions about sovereignty and the future of the country.
