In a significant turn of events, the U.S. government executed a covert operation on Saturday to apprehend former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on charges of narcoterrorism. According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the operation, termed Operation Absolute Resolve, was not an invasion but rather a targeted mission to arrest two fugitives wanted by U.S. authorities.
The operation took place in the early hours of the morning, with U.S. military helicopters landing undetected in Caracas. Within a span of less than two hours, the Maduros were taken into custody and transported to the USS Iwo Jima, which was stationed offshore. They were later flown to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, where they will await trial. The urgency of the operation underscores the gravity of the charges against Maduro, which include leading a drug cartel and overseeing fraudulent elections in 2018 and 2024.
Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, characterized the operation as a substantial military assault, claiming it resembled events from World War II. In contrast, General Caine emphasized that it was a specialized mission aimed solely at apprehending individuals charged with serious crimes, rather than a regime change or act of war that would require congressional approval.
Maduro, who has been indicted since 2020, had previously been offered opportunities to leave Venezuela peacefully. Despite this, he opted to remain, believing he could evade justice. The U.S. had placed a $50 million bounty on his head, further illustrating the seriousness of the allegations against him.
The arrest raises questions about the current power dynamics in Venezuela. Following the apprehension, Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president, may now assume a more prominent role in the country, although Trump has suggested that the U.S. will oversee a transitional government. This assertion comes despite the apparent absence of American troops remaining in Venezuela after the operation.
In a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump dismissed the significance of Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Laureate María Corina Machado, who has been in hiding from Maduro’s regime. The capture of the Maduros, who reportedly attempted to seek refuge in a fortified safe room, marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Venezuela relations.
While General Caine insists the operation was a swift and efficient effort to bring the Maduros to justice, concerns linger about the potential for unrest in Venezuela. If the situation deteriorates into chaos, it could lead to U.S. military involvement, contradicting Trump’s long-standing stance against foreign entanglements.
As events unfold, the implications of this operation will have lasting effects on both U.S. foreign policy and the future of Venezuela.
