US special forces successfully carried out a lightning raid that resulted in the elimination of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s security detail, effectively ending his 12-year regime in a swift operation. Known as Operation Absolute Resolve, this mission has been hailed as one of the most efficient conducted by the US post-Cold War era. Within a mere four-and-a-half hours, Delta Force operatives dismantled air defenses in Caracas and neutralized a group of elite Cuban guards protecting Maduro and his spouse.
While the operation demonstrated remarkable precision, global leaders have criticized the mission for bypassing Congressional authorization and violating international laws. President Donald Trump had previously accused Venezuela of fueling drug trafficking, a claim met with skepticism. The US administration had meticulously concealed plans for the operation to preserve the element of surprise, withholding information from key bipartisan leaders and only briefing Congress on the mission’s focus against drug traffickers in Venezuela.
Despite legal requirements for Congressional approval of military actions abroad, historical precedents exist where presidents have taken unilateral military actions. US special forces meticulously prepared for the raid, including creating a replica of Maduro’s residence and studying his daily routines. General Dan Caine, the highest-ranking military official, confirmed the operation’s readiness before executing the decisive strike, which involved a coordinated effort utilizing air, land, and sea forces.
The operation involved a massive deployment of military aircraft, launching from multiple bases and naval vessels across the Caribbean. The swift and intense airstrikes targeted strategic locations in Caracas, resulting in casualties, including civilians. The US forces effectively neutralized Venezuela’s air defenses, paving the way for the extraction of Maduro. The deployment of helicopters carrying special forces, equipped with advanced navigation technology, successfully infiltrated Maduro’s compound and swiftly secured the dictator without any casualties.
Maduro and his wife were apprehended during the operation, attempting to retreat to a panic room but intercepted by US special forces. The pair was swiftly transported to a US Navy base before being transferred to a secure facility in New York. Trump emphasized the swift execution of the operation and hinted at the US’s future involvement in Venezuela’s oil industry, aiming to rebuild the country’s infrastructure and temporarily oversee its governance. The captured individuals are set to face legal proceedings in American courts, as per US Attorney General Pam Bondi.
