Operation Absolute Resolve: The U.S. Invasion of Venezuela and the Capture of Maduro
Caracas/New York/Washington D.C. — January 3, 2026
In an unprecedented escalation of U.S. foreign policy, the early hours of January 3, 2026, marked a turning point in Western Hemispheric history. Under the orders of President Donald Trump, the United States military launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela, codenamed "Operation Absolute Resolve," resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The Operation: 30 Minutes that Changed the Region
Around 2:00 AM local time, explosions rocked Caracas. According to reports from the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters, the operation involved approximately 150 aircraft and elite special forces, including the U.S. Army’s Delta Force.
The strikes were surgical, targeting command-and-control centers, communication antennas at Cerro El Volcán, and the Port of La Guaira. Major plumes of smoke were observed by reporters on the ground at Fort Tiuna—the heart of the Venezuelan military—and the La Carlota airbase. Within hours, the U.S. government confirmed that Maduro and Flores had been extracted and flown to New York to face justice.
The Legal Battle: Narco-Terrorism Indictments
Following the capture, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi unsealed a superseding indictment from the Southern District of New York. The charges against Maduro and Flores include:
Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy: Alleging the use of the state to facilitate cocaine flow into the U.S.
Cocaine Importation & Weapons Charges: Involving the use of machine guns in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Money Laundering: Specifically targeting the financial networks managed by Cilia Flores.
Ambassador Mike Waltz has framed the event at the United Nations not as an act of war, but as a "targeted law enforcement action" to serve outstanding international warrants.
Trump’s "Stabilization" Plan and the Oil Factor
In a live press conference from Mar-a-Lago, President Trump addressed the world, stating that the U.S. would "run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition."
The President’s remarks have sparked intense debate, particularly his focus on the economic recovery of the nation. He explicitly stated that American oil companies would be brought in to rebuild Venezuela’s dilapidated infrastructure, leading critics at the UN to characterize the operation as a resource-driven regime change.
The Global Response: A Divided World
The international community has reacted with a mixture of celebration, caution, and condemnation:
China & Russia: Both nations issued a "strong condemnation," labeling the move a "hegemonic act" and a "flagrant violation of international law."
Latin America: Presidents Gustavo Petro (Colombia) and Lula da Silva (Brazil) condemned the "criminal aggression," while Javier Milei (Argentina) celebrated the move, stating, "Freedom advances."
Asia: India and Japan have remained cautious, focusing on the potential for global oil price volatility and the dangerous precedent for regional sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific.
On the Ground: A City in Shock
Reporters on the ground, including Regina Garcia Cano (AP) and local Reuters correspondents, describe a Caracas in total disarray.
Power Outages: Significant portions of the capital are without electricity.
Civilians in the Streets: While Vice President Delcy Rodríguez called for a "National Strike" and mass mobilization to resist the "imperialist attack," many residents remain sheltered in their homes, paralyzed by the speed of the transition.
Internal Power Struggle: With Maduro gone, the remnants of the regime (led by Rodríguez and Diosdado Cabello) are vying for control against an emboldened opposition led by María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, who have called for a peaceful transition to democracy.
What’s Next?
As the UN Security Council convenes for an emergency session, the world watches to see if "Operation Absolute Resolve" will lead to a swift democratic transition or a long-term U.S. occupation. With the U.S. signaling a veto on any resolution condemning the strike, the diplomatic standoff in New York is only just beginning.
