Washington/Caracas: The reported arrest and transfer of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the US military has sent shockwaves across the international community. The sudden detention of a sitting head of state and his movement to the United States was widely unforeseen, prompting intense global scrutiny. Media reports now claim that the Trump administration deployed a classified, advanced weapon during the operation.
According to accounts attributed to a Venezuelan security guard present at the scene, the country’s radar systems abruptly shut down on the day of the operation. The guard claimed that multiple drones were seen overhead, followed by the arrival of eight helicopters carrying an estimated 20 US soldiers. Despite the presence of hundreds of Venezuelan security personnel, the guard said they were unable to mount any resistance due to the speed and precision of the operation.
The security personnel further alleged that the US forces used an unusual weapon that generated extremely loud sound waves, causing severe physical distress. Symptoms reportedly included intense head pain, nosebleeds, vomiting of blood, and temporary paralysis, leaving many unable to move. The guard said the soldiers appeared to fire rapidly and were equipped with weapons never previously encountered.
Following these claims, several countries and defence analysts have speculated that the US may have used a sonic or supersonic weapon. A former US intelligence official was quoted as saying that microwave or laser-based systems could have been employed to neutralise targets, noting that such technologies have been in US possession for several years. Experts state that these weapons can cause bleeding, unbearable pain, and temporary incapacitation without necessarily being lethal.
Similar allegations had surfaced in the past against China, with reports claiming that microwave weapons were used against Indian soldiers during the 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh. China had denied those claims at the time.
Meanwhile, analysts believe that the alleged use of advanced sonic weapons against a smaller nation like Venezuela signals a demonstration of US military superiority. The White House Secretary’s decision to share the Venezuelan security guard’s account on the social media platform X has been interpreted by some observers as a strategic warning to other Latin American countries.
What Are Sonic Weapons?
Sonic weapons differ from conventional arms such as firearms or missiles, as they rely on sound waves to cause physical discomfort and incapacitation. Often referred to as “sound cannons,” these systems emit extremely high-decibel noise intended to disperse crowds or temporarily immobilise individuals rather than cause fatalities. Exposure can lead to severe headaches, nausea, ear bleeding, hearing loss, disorientation, and extreme fear. Such weapons are commonly used by naval forces to deter pirates and by security agencies for crowd control.
The US has not officially confirmed the use of sonic weapons during the reported operation against President Maduro. However, the circulation of the security guard’s account, amplified by senior US officials on social media, has intensified international speculation over the deployment of advanced sonic technology.