US Military Captures Venezuelan President Maduro in Surprise Operation

Surprise Operation from Caracas to New York

The United States military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was planned for months, according to statements from former President Donald Trump. However, once the launch order was given, "Operation Absolute Resolve" lasted only about 150 minutes. The surprise attack on Saturday morning culminated in the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were captured by elite American troops while attempting to flee to a fortified safe room.

As the sun rose on Saturday, the scale of the military operation in Caracas became evident. Images from Fuerte Tiuna, the largest military base in Venezuela, showed destroyed buildings and burnt vehicles. Here, according to statements from the ruling party leader, Nahum Fernández, Maduro and his wife were captured.

Trump stated that the plan was to disable Venezuela's air defenses to allow American military helicopters to reach Fuerte Tiuna. Images show Fuerte Tiuna engulfed in flames, visible from a distance.

Following their capture, Maduro and his wife were transported approximately 3,400 km to New York City. They were extracted from Caracas by helicopter and taken aboard the USS Iwo Jima, a warship located in the Caribbean. Once they arrived in the U.S., they were sent to the naval base at Guantanamo and then, via a government flight, to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York. From there, they were helicoptered into Manhattan.

The strict security around the New York heliport was evident, and Maduro was seen displaying a peace sign upon arrival. Currently, both are detained in a correctional facility after being charged with conspiracy to commit drug trafficking and possession of firearms.

"They will soon face the full fury of American justice on American soil, in American courts," stated Attorney General Pam Bondi.