In a bold move, the U.S. military successfully executed an operation in Venezuela on January 3rd, resulting in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. The mission, carried out with precision and minimal U.S. casualties, involved over 150 aircraft, including bombers and fighter jets.
President Trump stated that a demonstration of American expertise may have caused power outages in Caracas during the operation.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, explained that U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) and Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) played key roles in creating a clear path for the operation. This included disabling Venezuela’s air defense systems, ensuring the safety of the helicopters entering the target area.
While details of the cyber operations remain confidential, Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic & International Studies, suggested they may have targeted Venezuela’s command and control systems.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth commented, “Seems those Russian air defenses didn’t quite work so well, did they?”
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were brought to New York and appeared in federal court on January 5th, facing drug charges. Both have pleaded not guilty.
This action follows months of increased U.S. efforts to counter drug trafficking in Latin American waters. The Trump administration had repeatedly stated it did not view Maduro as a legitimate leader.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the operation, stating congressional approval wasn’t needed as it was a law enforcement action, not an invasion. Some lawmakers have raised questions about the legality of the operation without congressional approval, with some Democrats calling it a constitutional failure.
The success of the mission highlights the importance of a strong military and the need to stand against leaders who threaten freedom and security.
