Staff Reports
In a moment that many might describe as more thrilling than a blockbuster action movie, U.S. forces successfully captured the notorious Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro along with his wife in a military operation that unfolded early on January 3rd. This high-stakes raid, aptly named Operation Absolute Resolve, was carried out against a heavily fortified military compound nestled in the heart of Caracas, Venezuela. After seizing Maduro, the military whisked him away to the USS Eoima, setting sail towards the U.S. to face a series of impending criminal charges.
Operation Absolute Resolve was no spontaneous affair; it was a meticulously planned operation months in the making, authorized by President Trump and relying on the expertise of the CIA. Since August, the Pentagon had deployed a significant presence of combat forces throughout the Caribbean, preparing for what many hoped would be a decisive blow against the regime that has long plagued the Venezuelan people. Intelligence agencies played a crucial role in this endeavor, carefully tracking Maduro’s every move—where he lived, traveled, ate, and even what pets he owned. Such detailed information helped ensure that the mission would be executed with pinpoint accuracy.
On the night of the raid, more than 150 aircraft from 20 different bases lit up the skies over the Western Hemisphere. The impressive strike package included some of the most capable planes in the U.S. military arsenal, such as B-1 bombers, F-35s, F-22s, F-18s, and EA-18 Growler electronic warfare planes. As these aircraft launched, they targeted Venezuela’s air defenses, paving the way for U.S. special forces to swoop in, flying low in helicopters just 100 feet above the ground to avoid detection.
At precisely 2:01 a.m. in Caracas, the helicopters reached their target, but not without encountering some unexpected resistance. Gunfire erupted as Maduro’s guards responded to the breach, but the U.S. forces were not deterred. Employing overwhelming force in self-defense, they quickly subdued the threat, leading to the capture of Maduro and his wife. With precision and professionalism, the Department of Justice, backed by the extraordinary skills of the U.S. military, took the duo into custody.
Following the successful extraction, Trump announced the plan to oversee Venezuela’s governance until a stable, proper, and fair transition could be organized. He reassured the Venezuelan people that peace, safety, and justice were on the horizon. The resolution of years of turmoil seemed closer than ever, and this decisive action against a long-embattled dictator brought forth a glimmer of hope for a nation desperately in need of change. As the dust settles from this remarkable operation, the world watches closely to see how the future will unfold for Venezuela and its citizens.
