Operation Absolute Resolve: Inside the Capture of Nicolás Maduro

Mon Jan 05 2026 15:49:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An in-depth look at the U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, involving extensive planning, military precision, and controversial implications.

A detailed account of the U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro, highlighting the pre-raid preparations, military strategies employed, and the global reactions following the mission. The operation marked a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in Latin America.

For months, U.S. spies had been monitoring Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's every move. A small team, including one insider in the Venezuelan government, tracked his activities closely, including his sleeping arrangements, meals, and even his pets.

In early December, the U.S. finalized a mission known as 'Operation Absolute Resolve' after extensive planning and rehearsals, including creating a full-scale replica of Maduro's Caracas safe house for practice. The operation aimed to overthrow Maduro, signaling a significant U.S. military intervention in Latin America not seen since the Cold War.

Details of the operation were kept closely guarded, with Congress uninformed beforehand. U.S. military officials aimed for the element of surprise, waiting for optimal conditions to launch the operation. A previous attempt was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions.

At 10:46 PM EST on December 30, President Trump authorized the mission, giving military personnel the green light just before midnight in Caracas, which provided a favorable cover of darkness. The operation involved air, land, and sea forces, marking a complex military maneuver unprecedented in scale and precision.

The next hours included the deployment of over 150 aircraft, with significant explosions reported throughout Caracas around 2:00 AM local time, as the military hit various targets, including Maduro's residence. Witnesses reported loud bangs and smoke rising across the city.

Amid the chaos, elite U.S. troops, including members of the Delta Force, approached Maduro's compound while heavy bombardment continued. Initially prepared for resistance, they encountered fire upon arrival, but efficiently maneuvered through the fortified safe house. Trump remarked that Maduro was caught off guard and that his attempts to escape were thwarted as the U.S. forces breached the compound.

After a tense operation, Maduro and his wife were taken into custody, and U.S. forces departed Venezuelan territory by 4:20 AM. Trump's announcement of Maduro's capture quickly followed, declaring that he would soon face 'the full might of American justice.'

The operation has drawn significant criticism from various global leaders, highlighting potential international ramifications and concerns over U.S. military overreach in foreign conflicts.