Delta Force Captures Nicolás Maduro in Operation Absolute Resolve; Trump Approved Raid
Delta Force, backed by U.S. air assets, captured President Nicolás Maduro in a Caracas raid after Trump approved Operation Absolute Resolve and watched via livestream.
Washington ExaminerUS forces killed 'large part' of Maduro's security team during capture
FOX NewsRetired Delta Force vet reveals biggest challenge in Maduro capture mission in Venezuela
PJ MediaHere’s How Maduro Was Captured, and It’s Pretty Darn Cool
PJ MediaHere’s How Maduro Was Captured, and It’s Pretty Darn Cool
Overview
U.S. Delta Force captured President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores in a Caracas raid supported by Night Stalkers helicopters and U.S. air assets during predawn operations.
Officials reported over 150 aircraft, including bombers and reconnaissance planes, participated; planners delayed execution to wait for improved weather for optimal operational conditions.
President Trump approved Operation Absolute Resolve at 10:46 p.m. EST Friday, General Dan Caine confirmed; Trump observed the operation via Mar-a-Lago livestream with advisers present.
U.S. intelligence, including a covert asset reportedly close to Maduro, helped pinpoint his location and guide Delta Force to a replica-trained safehouse before the raid, according to officials.
Maduro and Flores were previously indicted in 2020 on narco-terrorism and drug-trafficking charges; both were transported to New York to face charges; Venezuelan military casualties remain unknown.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by emphasizing the legal and geopolitical implications of the U.S. operation in Venezuela. They highlight the lack of Congressional approval and potential risks of unilateral military action, using terms like "unauthorized" and "reckless." The coverage includes diverse perspectives, from legal experts questioning the operation's legitimacy to lawmakers expressing concerns about regional stability, illustrating a cautious and critical narrative.