The United States has carried out what it describes as the largest military intervention in South America since the Cold War, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a dramatic overnight operation in Caracas. The two were flown to the United States and are currently being held at a detention center in Brooklyn, New York.
According to US officials, the operation followed months of intense intelligence gathering. American intelligence agencies reportedly monitored Maduro’s daily movements in detail, including his residence, routines, and security arrangements. A covert source inside the Venezuelan government is said to have helped pinpoint Maduro’s exact location. To prepare for the mission, US elite forces constructed a full-scale replica of Maduro’s safe house in Caracas and rehearsed the operation for months.
The final authorization for the raid came from President Donald Trump, who approved the mission four days in advance. However, unfavorable weather delayed execution until Friday night. Trump reportedly watched the operation live from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, alongside CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Speaking to US media afterward, Trump described the operation as “extraordinary,” praising the speed and precision of American forces.
The mission, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, involved an extensive military deployment. Retired US Air Force General Dan Caine stated that nearly 150 aircraft were used, including B-1B Lancer bombers, F-22 fighter jets, electronic warfare planes, surveillance aircraft, drones, and helicopters. Elite Army units, including the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and Delta Force, were deployed on the ground. US Cyber Command, Space Command, and intelligence agencies such as the CIA and NSA also played key roles by disrupting Venezuela’s air defense systems and communications.
US troops reached Maduro’s compound at approximately 2:01 a.m. local time. Maduro reportedly attempted to enter a reinforced safe room but was captured before he could secure the door. Although the arrest itself was swift, US officials emphasized that it was the result of years of preparation. No US soldiers were killed, though several were injured. Venezuelan officials, cited by the New York Times, claimed that at least 40 people died during the broader operation, which included airstrikes at multiple locations in and around Caracas to divert attention and provide cover.
Maduro has long faced criminal charges in the United States. In 2020, the US Department of Justice indicted him on charges including drug trafficking, “narco-terrorism,” weapons violations, kidnapping, and murder. The US government had previously offered rewards of up to $50 million for information leading to his arrest. Similar charges have been filed against senior Venezuelan officials, as well as against his wife and son. Maduro has consistently denied all allegations.
Following his capture, uncertainty has gripped Venezuela over who will govern the country. President Trump stated that the United States would directly oversee Venezuela’s administration during a transitional period until “secure and fair” leadership is established. While opposition leader María Corina Machado welcomed Maduro’s arrest as a “moment of liberation,” Trump questioned her ability to lead, signaling continued US control for the time being.
Delcy as Acting President
Venezuela’s Supreme Court has named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president during Maduro’s absence. Rodríguez, a close ally of Maduro, strongly condemned the US action, calling it an illegal abduction aimed at seizing Venezuela’s energy and mineral resources. She demanded the immediate release of Maduro and urged citizens and the armed forces to unite in defense of national sovereignty.
Widespread criticism against the United States
International reaction has been sharply divided. Protests against the US action erupted in cities including Los Angeles, New York, Washington, DC, and Las Vegas. Demonstrators accused the US of waging war for oil and violating international law. Countries such as China, Iran, Russia, Turkey, and India criticized the operation, with China calling it a serious violation of the UN Charter and demanding Maduro’s release. An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council has been scheduled to discuss the situation.
Global media coverage reflects deep divisions. While the US government frames the operation as a lawful judicial action, many international outlets describe it as an act of military aggression and regime change. Even the New York Times criticized the operation as illegal and reckless, warning it could destabilize Latin America and damage America’s global credibility.
Analysts have drawn parallels between Maduro’s arrest and the 1989 US invasion of Panama that led to the capture of dictator Manuel Noriega. In both cases, drug trafficking charges were used as a central justification for military intervention. Observers note that Maduro’s future may now follow a similar legal path.
Maduro’s rise from a bus driver to president remains one of Latin America’s most striking political stories. Supporters view him as a champion of the poor, while critics see him as an authoritarian leader who plunged Venezuela into crisis. Whether his arrest leads to democratic reform or further conflict remains uncertain, and the world is closely watching what comes next.
