🔗 Share this article

Senior leaders from the White House went to Capitol Hill to defend one of the most audacious military operations in modern American memory: the seizure of a current national leader from his own capital.

Operation Particulars Disclosed to Lawmakers

The secretaries of state and defense, the nation's top lawyer, the CIA director, and the top military officer briefed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the lightning raid that removed the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his Caracas residence and brought him to a New York City jail cell.

This briefing marked the first time the entire chamber heard particulars of the early January operation, which involved U.S. special forces swooping into Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

A Plan Centered on Oil

Officials described a threefold process for Venezuela that was centered on oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, creating opportunities for companies to operate in the Venezuelan market; and a final phase described as “one of transition.”

“We are going to take between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil,” one official stated. “We’re going to sell it in the marketplace at market rates, not at the discounts Venezuela was getting.”

Partisan Split Erupts in Washington

Beyond the oil, the operation has split Washington along predictable lines. GOP lawmakers have united in support of the portrayal of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an accused narcotics kingpin. Opposition party members warn of an illegal act of war that could plunge Venezuela into chaos and establish a troubling new norm for executive power.

“What we did is we took out an leader without a proper mandate,” one Republican senator said. “He was never duly elected, so there can’t be regime change if he should have never been put in place to begin with.”

Operational Timeline and Legal Proceedings

In the early morning hours, elite troops struck multiple targets across the country's north, apprehended Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a U.S. Navy ship, airlifted them to a stateside base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court pleading not guilty to charges including “drug terrorism” conspiracy.

Democratic Skepticism and Citizen Concern

One Democratic senator emerged from the closed-door session disbelieving, stating the administration is “going to take the oil by force.”

“This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about taking the nation's petroleum resources under threat of force for an undefined period as a bargaining chip to control the nation's affairs.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s future stability.

This pushback reflects wider citizen anxiety. Polls indicate a majority of Americans believe the operation should have required congressional approval. Separate surveys found about 75% express worry the U.S. will become overly entangled in Venezuela. Overall public opinion echoes the partisan split on Capitol Hill.

“Across America, people are just saying what the hell is going on?” a senior Democratic leader stated. “We need answers as to the duration of this engagement. We need answers on troop levels, financial cost, and what guardrails are in place.”

Uncertain Future and Global Criticism

The question of the next steps in Venezuela remains murky. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “manage” the country for an unspecified period.

“The reality is the entire previous government structure is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capability of our military... but there is no answer about the future plan.”

International condemnation has been swift. Numerous nations have censured the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s immediate release, while the U.S. defended the action as a precise police action.

Wider Security Concerns

Republican lawmakers are also turning their attention toward Greenland, citing national security concerns.

“China and Russia are operating off the coast Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a significant strategic stake in Greenland.”

The administration has kept a naval fleet positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently seized Venezuela-linked oil tankers, indicating it has no intention to ease pressure.

“Our military is ready to persist in this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of deeds to promote our national goals, and that is on full display.”