Operation Absolute Resolve: Capturing Maduro and Its Implications

Mon Jan 05 2026 16:43:01 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro has sparked a worldwide debate. This piece details the operation, images from the scene, and the potential global repercussions.

The recent U.S. military operation, dubbed ‘Operation Absolute Resolve’, successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a surprise raid that lasted just 150 minutes. This unprecedented event has significant implications for U.S.-Venezuelan relations and international diplomacy concerning narco-terrorism. This article explores the details of the operation and its aftermath, including the transportation of the captured leaders to New York and the charges they face.

Operation Absolute Resolve: Capturing Maduro and Its Implications

The U.S. military operation to capture Venezuela's president took months of meticulous planning. When U.S. President Donald Trump authorized 'Operation Absolute Resolve', the execution lasted a mere 150 minutes, culminating in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

In the early hours of Saturday, a sudden military attack on Caracas revealed the vast scale of the operation, marked by bombed structures and charred vehicles within Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military compound.

Captured by elite U.S. troops during their attempt to escape to a fortified safe room, the couple now faces serious narco-terrorism charges in a New York detention center. Images depicting the bombing aftermath alongside the Maduros’ capture have made headlines, emphasizing the operation's dramatic nature.

A Day to Remember

On the day of the operation, explosions rang across Caracas as the dawn broke. U.S. forces executed a plan to disable Venezuelan air defenses, enabling military helicopters to swiftly navigate to their target.

Reports confirmed that Maduro attempted to seek refuge in a rugged safe room but was swiftly apprehended by troops before he could secure himself inside. President Trump commented on the heavy door, asserting its thickness wouldn’t have slowed the operations, ensuring that had they reached the door, it could have been breached in under a minute.

Journey to Justice

Following their capture, the Maduros were airlifted approximately 2,100 miles to the United States. Helicopters transported them to the USS Iwo Jima before further transferring them to Guantánamo Bay and then to New York. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that they would face intense scrutiny under U.S. law as officials address charges of conspiracy related to narcotics and weapons.

Events are unfolding while heavy security surrounds the detention center where they are currently held: the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Manhattan. Maduro’s capture raises serious questions regarding U.S. foreign policy and its approach to rule-breaking leaders.

As the world watches, the case underscores the delicate balance of power and the complexities of international law regarding drug trafficking and governance.