Inside the U.S. Operation to Oust Venezuela’s President

Key Takeaways

U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a swift military operation.
'Operation Absolute Resolve' involved months of intelligence gathering and military preparation.
Maduro was transported to New York to face criminal drug trafficking charges.
President Trump stated the U.S. would oversee Venezuela's governance and rebuild its oil industry.

The host introduced a special Sunday episode detailing the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in a swift military operation.
National security correspondent Eric Schmitt characterized the capture as a historic and audacious exercise of American power, comparable to the 1989 Noriega operation.
Planning for 'Operation Absolute Resolve' commenced months prior, initially considering strikes on drug trafficking boats and later land strikes to remove Maduro.

CIA operatives infiltrated Venezuela to monitor Maduro's movements and routines, aided by an informant providing real-time location data.
Stealth drone flights also tracked Maduro in the months leading up to the operation.
Weeks prior to the capture, specialized military aircraft capable of jamming, surveillance, and troop transport began arriving.
Unseasonably bad weather delayed the operation in Venezuela by 10 days; it was approved by the president late Friday and began early Saturday.

President Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro via social media early Saturday, stating he was flown out of the country.
General Kane detailed the operation, stating the president ordered the mission at 10:46 p.m. Eastern Time.
Over 150 aircraft launched from 20 bases, disabling Venezuelan air defenses before helicopters approached Maduro's compound, arriving at 1:01 a.m. Eastern Time.
Delta Force commandos, after extensive preparation including building a mock house, secured Maduro and his wife, who surrendered without significant resistance.

The military operation facilitated the transport of Nicolás Maduro via helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima.
The entire operation, from capture to arrival in New York, lasted two hours and 20 minutes.
The military's involvement in arresting Maduro was at the request of the Justice Department.
Law enforcement agents were present to serve an arrest warrant related to drug trafficking and other charges.

Following Maduro's capture, President Trump stated the U.S. would "run" Venezuela and rebuild its oil infrastructure.
Trump indicated American oil companies would be involved to benefit both Venezuela and U.S. businesses.
Advisors like "Heg Seth and Rubio" were mentioned as involved in governing Venezuela, alongside the current vice president.
Critics argue this intervention's rationale appeared to be primarily economic gain for the U.S., framed as 'America First'.

The Venezuelan diaspora in Florida celebrated Maduro's capture as the end of an authoritarian regime.
Critics expressed concern that President Trump lacked a clear plan for Venezuela, potentially leading to nation-building efforts he previously opposed.
Trump views military actions like this as successful 'surgical strikes' with potential for quick solutions.
This approach risks normalizing the use of military force, potentially leading to unforeseen international commitments.