How US Forces Captured Nicolás Maduro: Inside Trump’s High-Risk ‘Operation Absolute Resolve’

At 4:21 a.m. on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the United States had carried out Operation Absolute Resolve, a covert mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, capping months of secret planning by US military and intelligence agencies.

While the announcement appeared sudden, sources familiar with the operation said preparations for what US officials described as one of the most complex missions in recent history had been underway for months, including detailed rehearsals and intelligence gathering. Elite US troops, including Army Delta Force operators, built a full-scale replica of Maduro’s fortified safe house and repeatedly practiced breaching scenarios.

According to sources speaking to Reuters, the CIA deployed a small team on the ground as early as August to study Maduro’s movements and daily routines. Two officials said the agency also relied on a source close to the Venezuelan leader who tracked his location in real time as the operation unfolded.

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President Trump approved the mission four days earlier, though military planners advised delaying execution to wait for clearer weather conditions. Final authorisation was given at 10:46 pm EST on Friday for the operation, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine said. Trump monitored the raid live from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida alongside senior advisers.

The Pentagon had already carried out a major military buildup in the Caribbean, deploying an aircraft carrier, 11 warships, more than a dozen F-35 jets, and over 15,000 troops under the banner of counter-narcotics operations. More than 150 aircraft were launched from 20 bases across the Western Hemisphere, including F-35s, F-22s and B-1 bombers, supported by refuelling tankers, drones and electronic warfare platforms.

Late Friday night, US aircraft struck military targets in and around Caracas, including air defence systems. Reuters images from the La Carlota air base showed destroyed anti-aircraft vehicles. As the strikes continued, US Special Forces inserted into the capital by helicopter. One aircraft was hit by fire but remained airborne.

Around 1 am EST, troops reached Maduro’s downtown compound amid gunfire. Using specialised equipment, they breached reinforced steel doors and entered the residence alongside FBI agents. Maduro and his wife surrendered shortly after, failing to reach a secure safe room.

No US personnel were killed, though some were wounded, Trump said. By 3:20 am EST, helicopters carrying the couple had exited Venezuelan airspace. Hours later, Trump posted a photograph of Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed aboard the USS Iwo Jima, confirming he was in US custody.