A covert operation, known as “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was meticulously planned over several months and involved a high-level strategy that combined military and intelligence efforts. The U.S. government, in collaboration with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), deployed a specialized team to gather critical information about Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This mission included both on-the-ground surveillance and the use of advanced technology to track Maduro’s daily routines.
The CIA team arrived in Venezuela last August and spent months collecting detailed data on Maduro’s movements, habits, and even personal preferences. They worked closely with insiders within the Venezuelan government and utilized stealth drones to monitor his activities. Additionally, a $50 million reward, equivalent to approximately 72.3 billion Korean won, was offered for any information that could lead to Maduro’s capture.
Dan Caine, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, highlighted the significance of the intelligence gathered by the CIA, stating, “The CIA team helped us understand where Maduro lived, where he traveled, what he ate and wore, and even what his pets were.” This level of detail allowed the U.S. military to plan the operation with precision.
The Operation Unfolds
At 2:01 a.m., a U.S. military helicopter breached Venezuela’s air defenses and approached the location where Maduro was staying. As the helicopter neared the target area, it came under fire from Venezuelan forces. According to an interview with Fox News, former President Donald Trump stated, “Some personnel were injured, but there were no fatalities.”
Despite the gunfire, the special operations forces quickly disembarked from the helicopter and moved into the house where Maduro was located. He was captured while rushing toward a secure room with steel doors. The team then loaded him onto the helicopter and transported him to the U.S. warship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea at 4:29 a.m. local time.
Trump was closely monitoring the operation from the Mar-a-Lago Resort in Florida through a live broadcast feed. Once the success of the mission was confirmed, he announced Maduro’s capture on the social media platform Truth Social.
