At least 80 people, including soldiers and civilians, died during a daring US raid to snatch Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro. The night operation, called ‘Operation Absolute Resolve,’ rocked Caracas and ended with Maduro captured and flown to New York.
Maduro Nabbed and Flown to New York
Video shows Maduro arriving at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center after being extradited on drug trafficking charges. Wearing a grey Nike tracksuit and blindfolded, he was escorted by US Drug Enforcement agents. Despite his dramatic capture, Maduro wished onlookers a “good night” and “happy new year.”
Venezuelan Defence Minister General Vladimir Padrino López slammed the raid on national radio as a “cowardly kidnapping.” He claimed the US killed “many of his security team, soldiers and innocent civilians” and vowed Venezuela’s military stands united against so-called US “imperial aggression.”
How the US Pulled Off the Shock Raid
Early Saturday, explosions rocked Caracas as a blackout hit the city, ordered by US forces. Over 150 US aircraft launched coordinated air strikes targeting military bases. Elite Delta Force units stormed Maduro’s hideout at 2am, armed with blowtorches to break in. They caught Maduro just as he tried to slam the door on them.
“He made it to the door. He was unable to close it. He got bum rushed so fast that he didn’t get into that,” bragged President Trump.
A photo of the blindfolded, handcuffed leader in custody went viral shortly after, showing the tight grip US authorities now have on Venezuela’s unstable future.
World Reacts: Fury, Support and Division
- The UN Secretary-General called the raid “a dangerous precedent.”
- UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the US operation but backed a peaceful transition.
- French President Emmanuel Macron endorsed opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez as Venezuela’s interim leader.
- South America is split:
- Brazil’s Lula slammed the US for crossing “an unacceptable line.”
- Colombia called it “an assault on Latin American sovereignty.”
- Cuba branded the raid a “criminal attack.”
- Argentina’s Jair Milei hailed it as “freedom moving forward.”
What Happens Next for Venezuela?
Trump promised the US will “run” Venezuela in Maduro’s absence, eyeing billions of dollars in the nation’s massive oil reserves. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the goal is to push policies benefiting both America and the Venezuelan people.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, denouncing the US raid as “unprecedented aggression” and demanding Maduro’s immediate release. Trump dismissed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado as lacking popular support.
“The goal is to see changes in Venezuela that are beneficial to the United States… and the Venezuelan people who have suffered tremendously,” Rubio said.
As global leaders clash and Venezuela teeters on the edge, the world holds its breath for what comes next.
