In a detailed press conference, the United States' top military officer has revealed the intricate planning and execution behind the audacious operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided new insights into Operation Absolute Resolve, describing it as the culmination of months of intelligence work and rehearsal.
Months of Intelligence and the Crucial Weather Window
General Caine credited US intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA, with enabling the mission through extensive surveillance of Maduro's routines. By early December, forces were poised to strike, awaiting optimal conditions. The weather was a decisive factor, Caine explained, as clear skies would minimise risk and maximise surprise.
The green light finally came on Friday, 2 January 2026, at 10.46pm Washington time (3.46am Saturday in London), when President Trump authorised the mission after weather over Venezuela improved.
The Nighttime Raid: Over 150 Aircraft and a Low-Level Approach
The operation involved a massive aerial armada. More than 150 aircraft were launched, including advanced fighter jets like F-22s and F-35s, alongside bombers and support planes. The key extraction force, however, travelled in helicopters that skimmed just 100 feet above the water to avoid detection as they approached the Venezuelan coast.
As the force neared Caracas, US aircraft began systematically disabling Venezuelan air defence systems. Maintaining the element of surprise, the helicopter force approached Maduro's compound at a very low altitude. They touched down at 1.01am EST (6.01am GMT), with the apprehension team fast-roping into the building.
Apprehension and Extraction Under Fire
The general reported that US forces came under fire upon arrival and responded with "overwhelming force." One helicopter was hit but remained operational. On the ground, teams used real-time intelligence to navigate the compound. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, both under US indictment, were apprehended without major incident; reports suggest they were taken from their bedroom.
The withdrawal phase saw further combat, with fighter jets and drones providing suppressive fire during several "self-defence engagements." Despite this, the force successfully extracted with their captives, crossing over water by 3.29am EST (8.29am GMT).
Aftermath and Presidential Boast
The captured leader and his wife were flown to the USS Iwo Jima, a US Navy amphibious assault ship. President Trump later posted a photo of Maduro onboard, touting the mission's success. In his remarks, Trump boasted that "not a single American service member was killed, and not a single piece of American equipment was lost" during what he called "an assault like people have not seen since World War Two."
General Caine concluded by cautioning that some operational details were being withheld to protect tactics that might be used in future missions, signalling that such high-stakes interventions remain a tool in the US arsenal.
