Reviewed by Gotrade Internal Analyst
Jakarta, Gotrade News - Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been officially captured in a high-precision military op dubbed by the US as "Operation Absolute Resolve."
This Saturday early morning raid wasn't a random incident; it was the result of months of intelligence planning, exploiting security gaps under the total darkness of the capital, Caracas.
For defense market watchers and geopolitical observers, the execution of this operation shows a major escalation in how the US handles foreign leaders flagged as narco-terrorism threats.
Key Takeaways
- Solid Prep: US troops rehearsed for months using a replica of Maduro’s presidential compound, down to knowing details about his pets.
- Blackout Strategy: The op was executed by cutting the power grid in Caracas to provide tactical cover for the assault team.
- Blitz Ambush: Maduro was ambushed before he could even make it into the steel-lined safe room in his residence.
Read also: Venezuela Open for Business, Oil Giants Scramble for Gas Billions
Intel and Replica Drills
According to AP News reports, this operation was designed with an extreme level of detail—US intel had been tracking everything from Maduro's eating habits to his daily schedule.
Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, mentioned that special forces had been rehearsing since early December, not just to get it right, but to ensure they couldn't get it wrong.
President Trump, in an interview with Fox Corporation on "Fox & Friends Weekend," revealed that US troops even built an identical replica of Maduro’s home for simulation runs.
The squad was also equipped with massive blowtorches, just in case they needed to slice through the walls of his panic room.
Execution in Total Darkness
The weather was a key factor here, with US forces waiting four days for cloud cover thick enough to mask their aerial approach.
On the night of the execution, lights in Caracas reportedly went out completely—a condition Trump claimed was due to "certain expertise" the US possesses, hinting at some cyber or electronic warfare strategy.
US helicopters flew low over the water to dodge radar detection before landing and executing a strike that lasted less than 30 minutes.
Failed Run to the Safe Room
Despite having high-level protection facilities, the speed of the op meant Maduro didn't stand a chance.
Trump explained that Maduro tried to bolt to his safe room, but he got "bum-rushed" so fast before the steel door could even shut.
Venezuela’s VP, Delcy Rodríguez, called this a "brutal attack" that caused casualties among the Venezuelan military and civilians, though Trump claims there were no US fatalities involved.
Extradition to New York
Once secured, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were immediately flown by helicopter to a US warship standing by offshore.
From there, they were transported to New York to face federal charges related to drug trafficking, with video footage showing Maduro being escorted by DEA agents.
Read also: Why the US Arrested Venezuela’s President: Here are the Details
This operation serves as the climax of a series of strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean since last September.
Reference:
- AP News, How cocaine and corruption led to the indictment of Maduro. Accessed on January 5, 2026
- AP News, How the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Accessed on January 5, 2026
- Al Jazeera, Fact-checking Trump following US ‘capture’ of Venezuela’s Maduro. Accessed on January 5, 2026
- Featured Image: El Media
Disclaimer
Gotrade is the trading name of Gotrade Securities Inc., registered with and supervised by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA). This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) before investing.
