At 4:21 on Saturday morning, President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the U. S. had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. This mission, which took many by surprise, had been carefully planned for months, involving detailed rehearsals by elite U. S. troops, including Delta Force, who practiced breaching a replica of Maduro’s stronghold. Since August, a small CIA team on the ground had been gathering information on Maduro’s daily routine, helping to ensure the capture went smoothly. The CIA had also placed an asset close to Maduro to monitor his movements during the operation.
Trump approved the mission, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, just four days prior to the execution, but military planners recommended waiting for suitable weather. The operation began after Trump finally gave his go-ahead late Friday night after gathering with advisers at Mar-a-Lago in Florida to witness a live stream of events.
The Pentagon had deployed substantial military resources in the Caribbean, including an aircraft carrier, warships, and F-35 jets, totaling over 15,000 troops for what was officially considered anti-drug operations. A close team of Trump’s senior aides, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, had been coordinating the details for months with inputs from the president himself. U. S. aircraft conducted strikes on targets near Caracas to soften defenses, hitting military positions and air defense systems.
During the operation, over 150 aircraft were launched from various locations across the Western Hemisphere. U. S. officials said that as strikes were underway, Special Forces moved into Caracas heavily armed. Around 1 a.m. EST Saturday, the troops encountered gunfire as they reached Maduro’s fortified compound, with one helicopter sustaining damage but still flying. Videos captured by locals showed helicopters flying low over the city.
Once at the safe house, the troops, along with FBI agents, entered, overcoming security measures quickly. Trump noted that Maduro attempted to reach a safe room but was unable to secure it in time, ultimately surrendering. Some U. S. forces faced gunfire during the operation, but there were no casualties reported.
Lawmakers were only informed about the operation once it had begun, contrary to usual procedures. As the U. S. troops secured their exit from Venezuelan territory, they engaged in multiple defensive actions before reaching open water by 3:20 a.m. EST. Hours later, Trump shared a photo of Maduro, blindfolded and in handcuffs, confirming the successful capture.
With information from Reuters
