04.01.2026 12:00
The operation in which the U.S. kidnapped Venezuelan President Maduro has made headlines around the world. In the operation called "Operation Absolute Resolve," which lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes, it was learned that more than 150 aircraft were used, and it was revealed that Maduro, upon seeing the Delta Force team, tried to escape to a secure room but was caught before he could close the door.
The world history witnessed an unprecedented event. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was detained by the U.S., was brought to New York for trial while the British broadcaster BBC published an article detailing the operation.
MONITORED FOR MONTHS
According to the news, for months, U.S. spies monitored every move of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. A small team, which included a source from the Venezuelan government, observed where the 63-year-old Maduro slept, what he ate, what he wore, and even according to high-ranking military officials, "his pets."
Then, at the beginning of December, a planned operation called "Operation Absolute Resolve" was completed. This operation, the result of months of meticulous planning and rehearsals, involved U.S. troops building a one-to-one, full-scale replica of Maduro's secure home in Caracas and practicing the entry routes repeatedly.
CONGRESS WAS NOT NOTIFIED
The plan, which meant an unprecedented scale of U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the Cold War, was carried out with great secrecy. Congress was not informed in advance or included in the process. After all details were clarified, high-ranking military officials only waited for the most suitable conditions to initiate the operation. Officials stated in a press release on Saturday that they wanted to maximize the surprise effect.
"WE PATIENTLY WAITED FOR THE PRESIDENT'S OPERATION ORDER"
Four days ago, President Trump had given approval, but a decision was made to wait for more favorable weather conditions. U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Dan Caine stated at a press conference on Saturday morning, "For weeks during Christmas and New Year, the men and women of the U.S. military stood ready; we patiently waited for the right triggering conditions to occur and for the president to give the operation order."
"GOOD LUCK, GOD BE WITH YOU"
Trump's order to initiate the operation came on Friday at 10:46 PM. A few hours after the night raid, Trump said on the Fox & Friends program, "We were going to do this four days ago, three days ago, two days ago... But then suddenly everything opened up and we said, 'Let's go.'" General Caine reported that Trump told them, "We appreciate this... Good luck and God be with you." The order was given just before midnight in Caracas, allowing military units to operate in the dark for almost the entire night.
TWO HOURS AND TWENTY MINUTES OPERATION
Subsequently, a two hours and twenty minutes operation was conducted from air, land, and sea. This operation, which shocked many in Washington and around the world, was almost unprecedented in scale and precision. Trump did not monitor the operation from the situation room in the White House. Instead, he watched the operation live from Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, alongside CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
MORE THAN 150 AIRCRAFT WERE USED
In recent months, thousands of U.S. troops had been deployed to the region, and the largest military buildup in decades had been made with an aircraft carrier and dozens of warships. According to U.S. officials, more than 150 aircraft, including bombers, fighter jets, and reconnaissance planes, were used throughout the night. Around 2:00 AM local time, loud explosions were heard in Caracas, and smoke clouds rose over the city.
"I SAW A HUGE CLOUD OF SMOKE"
Journalist Ana Vanessa Herrero, speaking to the BBC, said, "I heard a very loud noise, a violent explosion. The windows shook. Then I saw a huge cloud of smoke that almost covered the entire view." She added, "Planes and helicopters were flying all over the city." Shortly after, videos showing numerous aircraft in the sky and the scenes created by the explosions began to spread on social media. One video showed a convoy of helicopters flying at low altitude over Caracas and rising smoke.
"EVERYWHERE WAS DRENCHED IN ABSOLUTE DARKNESS"
A witness speaking to the BBC said, "We woke up around 1:55 AM to the noise of explosions and the sound of planes flying over Caracas. Everywhere was drenched in absolute darkness; there were only the lights from the nearby explosions." BBC Verify examined numerous videos showing explosions, fires, and smoke at different points in Caracas to identify the targeted locations. Officials stated that some of the U.S. attacks were aimed at air defense systems and other military targets.
POWER WAS CUT OFF IN THE CITY BEFORE THE OPERATION
Trump also implied that the power in Caracas was cut off before the operation, but did not specify how it was done. "The lights of Caracas were largely turned off thanks to certain expertise we have. Everywhere was dark and deadly," he said.
DELTA FORCE, THE ELITE GROUP OF THE ARMY, WAS ASSIGNED
As explosions continued in Caracas, U.S. forces entered the city. According to sources speaking to CBS, members of Delta Force, one of the most elite special units of the U.S. Army, were also involved in the operation. They were heavily armed and carried a cutting torch to cut through the metal doors of Maduro's secure home if necessary. According to General Caine, the troops reached the location where Maduro was just after the attacks began, at 2:01 AM local time.
"THEY KNEW WE WERE COMING"
Trump described the secure house as a heavily fortified military "fortress" located in the center of Caracas and said, "They were waiting for us. They knew we were coming." When the troops arrived, they came under fire; one of the U.S. helicopters was hit but was able to continue flying. General Caine stated, "The capture team landed at Maduro's compound and acted with speed, precision, and discipline." Trump said, "They went inside; they actually entered places that were supposed to be impossible to access."
He stated, "They broke the steel doors that were made for this very reason."
REACTION FROM CONGRESS
While the operation was ongoing and Maduro's wife Cilia Flores was also detained, Secretary of State Rubio began to inform Congress members. This situation drew reactions from some figures in Congress. Democratic leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said, "To be clear: Nicolas Maduro is an illegitimate dictator. However, launching a military operation without Congressional approval and without a credible plan for what to do afterward is reckless." Rubio argued that prior notification would jeopardize the operation. Trump also added, "Congress has a habit of leaking. That wouldn't be good."
"HE REACHED THE DOOR BUT COULDN'T CLOSE IT"
As U.S. troops surged into Maduro's compound, Trump noted that the Venezuelan leader, who has recently relied more on Cuban guards, was trying to escape to a safe room, stating: "He was trying to reach a place he thought was safe, but it wasn't safe; because we would have blown the door in about 47 seconds. He reached the door but couldn't close it. He was ambushed so quickly that he couldn't get into that room."