In a meticulously planned operation, the United States successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on the night of March 14, 2024. This complex initiative, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” involved a significant military deployment and coordination across multiple branches of the US armed forces, according to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Details of the Operation
General Caine described the operation as an intricate undertaking that necessitated the deployment of over 150 aircraft from various bases throughout the western hemisphere. These included bombers, fighters, and reconnaissance aircraft, all working in unison to achieve a singular objective: to insert an interdiction force into downtown Caracas.
Planning for the operation extended over several months, with the US military bolstering its presence in the region. A pivotal moment occurred in mid-November 2023, when the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group arrived. By early December, US intelligence had gathered sufficient information about Maduro’s routines, down to details about his pets, which influenced the decision to proceed with the mission.
While adverse weather initially delayed the operation, conditions improved, and at 22:46 ET on March 14, President Donald Trump authorized the mission. Aircraft began launching simultaneously from 20 different bases, marking the commencement of an operation that had been carefully orchestrated.
Execution and Aftermath
General Caine stated that at the height of the operation, a combination of US Space Command and US Cyber Command conducted non-kinetic operations to suppress Venezuelan defenses. This was followed by an extraction force composed of helicopters that flew in at a low altitude to avoid detection.
By 01:01 AM ET, the helicopter team reached Maduro’s compound, executing their mission with speed and precision. Although General Caine refrained from disclosing specific details about the capture, President Trump later confirmed that Maduro attempted to flee to a designated safe room but was intercepted by US forces.
During the operation, the helicopters faced fire, prompting a robust self-defense response. Caine noted that while one aircraft sustained damage, all units involved successfully returned to their bases. The operation concluded with the safe exfiltration of US personnel, and by 03:29 AM ET, the team was over water aboard the USS Iwo Jima with Maduro in custody.
Remarkably, there were no losses among US personnel or equipment during the operation, a testament to the extensive training and preparation undertaken by the forces involved. General Caine emphasized that the success of Operation Absolute Resolve showcased the effectiveness of the US military’s joint capabilities. “Our forces remain in the region at a high state of readiness, prepared to project power and defend our interests,” he stated.
