🔗 Share this article

Top officials from the administration went to Capitol Hill to defend one of the most audacious military operations in recent US history: the seizure of a sitting head of state from his home city.

Operation Particulars Revealed to Lawmakers

The secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general, the CIA director, and the top military officer informed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the swift strike 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 full Senate heard particulars of the 3 January attack, which involved elite American troops entering Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Strategy Focused on Petroleum

Officials described a threefold process for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, creating opportunities for companies to enter 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.”

Political Divide Erupts in Washington

Apart from petroleum, the operation has divided the capital along expected partisan divides. Republicans have united in support of the portrayal of the raid as a simple arrest operation targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Democrats 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 a change in government if he should have never been put in place to begin with.”

Sequence of Events and Court Case

In the pre-dawn operation, elite troops hit several locations across the country's north, apprehended Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a U.S. Navy ship, flew them to a U.S. air base, and then turned them over to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro appeared before a judge pleading not guilty to charges including “drug terrorism” conspiracy.

Democratic Skepticism and Citizen Concern

One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing disbelieving, stating the administration is “going to take the oil through military might.”

“This is an reckless scheme,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about taking the nation's petroleum resources under threat of force for an undefined period as leverage to micromanage the country.” The senator added that they “heard no comprehensive strategy” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.

This criticism reflects wider citizen anxiety. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation should have required congressional approval. Separate surveys found about 75% express concern the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall public opinion mirrors the political division 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 how long this is going to last. We need answers on military presence, funding, and what limits 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 “run” the country for an indeterminate time.

“The reality is the entire Maduro apparatus is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in great admiration of the capability of our military... but there is no answer about the future plan.”

Global criticism has been swift. Numerous nations have censured the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s prompt freedom, while the U.S. justified the move as a precise police action.

Wider Security Concerns

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

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

The administration has maintained warships positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently took control of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, signaling it has no intention to ease pressure.

“Our military is prepared to continue this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of deeds to advance our interests, and that is on full display.”