BREAKING: A U.S. helicopter leading the operation to capture Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro was struck during the raid but managed to remain airborne, according to a New York Times report. This urgent development comes as details emerge about the intense firefight that unfolded on July 11, 2023.
The helicopter, a twin-rotor MH-47 Chinook, was piloted by the mission’s flight leader, who was injured three times in the leg during the operation. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely, allowing more than 80 commandos to execute their mission at Maduro’s compound and return to the USS Iwo Jima without further incident.
In the aftermath of the raid, President Donald Trump praised the operation, emphasizing that “nobody was killed” on the U.S. side, while acknowledging the substantial casualties on the other side. Reports from Cuba indicate that at least 32 Cuban nationals were killed during the mission, which was described by Havana as a “criminal act of aggression.”
As the situation develops, a senior Venezuelan official revealed that the death toll could be as high as 100, including military personnel and civilians. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed the figure, indicating the severity of the conflict.
The U.S. commandos engaged in a fierce firefight with Maduro’s security detail, successfully breaching a door leading to Maduro’s bedroom, where he and his wife, Cilia Flores, attempted to escape. Following their capture, fresh helicopters were dispatched to return the commandos and the prisoners to the USS Iwo Jima, navigating hostile fire along the way.
The flight leader, whose identity remains undisclosed for security reasons, is currently recovering at a Texas hospital, alongside another soldier. Five additional soldiers received treatment for their injuries but have since returned to duty.
This operation marks a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in Venezuela, raising concerns about the broader implications for regional stability. As tensions rise, the international community is closely monitoring developments following this high-stakes mission.
Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available regarding the aftermath of the raid and its impact on U.S.-Venezuela relations.
