A pre-dawn lightning operation carried out in Venezuela on Saturday has sent shockwaves across the world, with US special forces taking Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, into custody. The mission, codenamed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was executed by the US military following weeks of covert planning and intelligence coordination.
According to reports, the operation began shortly after midnight on Friday and concluded at 4:29 am on Saturday, lasting a total of two hours and 28 minutes. As part of the initial phase, the US Air Force carried out targeted strikes around 2:00 am (US time) to neutralise Venezuela’s air defence systems, clearing the way for ground forces.
At 2:01 am, elite Delta Force commandos landed in helicopters at the Fuerte Tiuna military complex in Caracas. Within 30 minutes, the team secured Maduro at his residence. Sources said the Venezuelan leader attempted to flee with his wife into a fortified safe room but was intercepted and taken into custody.
The operation was backed by extensive intelligence gathering, with the CIA, FBI, and US Navy working in close coordination. CIA operatives had reportedly been active in Venezuela since August, closely monitoring Maduro’s movements, daily routines, meeting schedules, and places of stay. Surveillance was carried out using advanced stealth drones, enabling round-the-clock tracking without detection.
Following his detention, Maduro was first transported by helicopter to the US warship USS Iwo Jima, then shifted to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. He was later flown to the United States, where both Maduro and his wife are currently being held at the Brooklyn Detention Center in New York. Maduro is facing serious charges, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
US President Donald Trump reportedly monitored the entire operation live from Florida. He stated that the action was aimed at restoring stability in Venezuela and facilitating the revival of the country’s vast oil reserves, marking a dramatic escalation in Washington’s approach toward the South American nation.