In a meticulously planned covert operation dubbed ‘Operation Absolute Resolve,’ United States special forces successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic nighttime raid on his Caracas compound. The mission, which unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, represents the most significant U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the Cold War era.
According to senior military officials, the operation culminated months of intensive surveillance and strategic planning. Intelligence agents had comprehensively monitored Maduro’s daily routines, sleeping patterns, and even his personal habits. Elite troops constructed a full-scale replica of Maduro’s safe house to perfect their assault strategies, though Congressional leadership remained deliberately uninformed to preserve operational secrecy.
The execution commenced at 22:46 Eastern Time on Friday following presidential authorization. President Trump revealed the mission had experienced multiple postponements, awaiting optimal weather conditions to maximize tactical surprise. General Dan Caine, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, described how forces maintained readiness throughout the holiday period awaiting final execution orders.
The multifaceted assault incorporated over 150 aircraft—including bombers, fighter jets, and reconnaissance planes—alongside ground and naval components. Preliminary strikes targeted Venezuelan air defense systems and military installations, while sophisticated technical operations plunged Caracas into intentional darkness. Residents reported massive explosions shaking the city at approximately 02:00 local time, with subsequent social media footage depicting helicopter formations and rising smoke plumes.
Delta Force operatives, equipped with specialized breaching tools, penetrated Maduro’s heavily fortified compound amidst active resistance. Despite incoming fire that damaged one American helicopter, forces successfully apprehended both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as they attempted to reach a secure room. The captives were transported to U.S. jurisdiction and are expected to face criminal charges in New York.
The operation has triggered immediate international condemnation, particularly from regional powers including Brazil, while generating domestic criticism regarding the bypassing of Congressional authorization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the secrecy, citing concerns about potential intelligence leaks had legislators been consulted in advance.