Washington/Caracas: The dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was the result of months of quiet preparation, detailed intelligence work and repeated rehearsals by US special forces, culminating in a swift overnight operation authorised directly by President Donald Trump.
Long before the raid, the US military had steadily increased its presence near Venezuela, publicly targeting boats accused of drug trafficking while privately preparing for a far more ambitious objective. Intelligence agencies closely tracked Maduro’s daily routines, studying small details such as his movements, habits and security arrangements, while elite units trained for a possible extraction.
According to US officials, the final operation — referred to internally as “Absolute Resolve” — was launched only after ideal weather conditions emerged. Trump said the mission was delayed for several days until cloud cover cleared enough to allow helicopters to enter Caracas undetected.
The assault unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, when much of the Venezuelan capital was plunged into darkness. US aircraft flew low over water before moving inland, while additional planes provided cover from above. Within minutes, special forces reached Maduro’s residence, overpowering security and preventing him from reaching a reinforced safe room.
Trump later said the teams were equipped to breach steel barriers if needed, including the use of heavy cutting equipment. “They moved so fast he never had the chance to get secured,” the president said in a television interview.
Rehearsed Down to the Details
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the mission was practised repeatedly on a replica of the presidential compound built to mirror the real structure. Troops rehearsed every phase, from approach routes to extraction, refining plans over months.
“We train and retrain not to get it right once, but to make sure we can’t get it wrong,” Caine said, adding that forces were operationally ready by early December.
Once Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were secured, they were flown by helicopter to a US warship before being transferred to the United States to face charges. Trump later shared an image showing Maduro in custody aboard the vessel.
Brief but Intense Assault
The raid lasted less than half an hour but was marked by explosions and gunfire across parts of Caracas. Venezuelan officials said both civilians and military personnel were killed, though no figures were provided. Trump acknowledged that some US troops were injured but said there were no fatalities among American forces. One helicopter reportedly came under fire but managed to return safely.
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez condemned the operation on state television, demanding Maduro’s release and calling him the legitimate president. At the same time, she signalled openness to dialogue, saying Venezuela remained willing to pursue respectful relations.
Residents living near military sites described being jolted awake by blasts shortly before 2 am, with smoke rising from nearby installations and power outages spreading through some neighbourhoods.
Escalation After Months of Pressure
The capture marked a sharp escalation in a campaign that had already seen US strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels since September. Late last year, a CIA-backed drone strike hit a coastal facility believed to be linked to narcotics operations — the first acknowledged US action on Venezuelan soil during the campaign.
While Trump had hinted for months that stronger action was possible, the speed and scale of the operation surprised many, including lawmakers in Washington who are now questioning its legal basis and long-term consequences.
At a news conference, Trump said the United States would temporarily oversee Venezuela’s transition and did not rule out a continued military presence. “We’re going to make sure the country is run properly until there’s a new leadership in place,” he said.
As Venezuela reels from the sudden removal of its long-time leader, uncertainty remains over what comes next — and how far the United States intends to go in reshaping the country’s future.
