Venezuela President captured: How months of planning and rehearsals by US forces led to the capture
US elite forces captured Nicolas Maduro after months of secret rehearsals. The audacious raid in Caracas ended with Maduro facing federal charges in New York.
Operation Absolute Resolve
US forces launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela early on 3 January 2026 to capture Nicolas Maduro. More than 150 aircraft conducted airstrikes around Caracas during the pre-dawn military mission.
Months of secret planning
The US military spent months rehearsing the operation and tracking Maduro's daily routines and location. General Dan Caine confirmed that troops learned every detail of his life to ensure tactical success.
Elite Delta Force raid
The Army's elite Delta Force carried out the ground raid to seize Maduro from his compound. FBI Hostage Rescue Team personnel accompanied the military to formally arrest the leader and his wife.
Darkness over Caracas
US forces jammed the electrical grid and turned off the lights in Caracas to cover their movements. The strike targeted key military installations like Fort Tiuna where Maduro was staying at the time.
Captured and flown out
Maduro and Cilia Flores were taken by helicopter to the amphibious warship USS Iwo Jima. Donald Trump shared a photo of a blindfolded Maduro wearing noise-cancelling headphones on the vessel.
Facing justice in New York
The captured leader arrived in New York to face criminal charges for narco-terrorism conspiracy. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the couple will face the full wrath of American justice.
US to run Venezuela
Donald Trump announced that the United States will run Venezuela until a proper transition occurs. The US plans to fix the oil infrastructure and sell oil to other nations during this period.
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