In an operation of unprecedented scale and secrecy, United States special forces constructed a full-scale replica of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's Caracas residence as part of a daring mission to capture him, newly revealed details show.
The Months of Meticulous Surveillance
A small, covert team that included a spy embedded within the Venezuelan government spent months observing President Maduro's every move. They documented where the 63-year-old leader slept, his dietary habits, his clothing, and even the daily routines for his pets. This intelligence was deemed critical for planning the high-stakes operation, codenamed "Operation Absolute Resolve."
The mission, a dramatic military intervention in Latin America not witnessed since the Cold War, was finalised before Christmas. Using the intelligence gathered, crack US troops built an exact, life-size replica of Maduro's fortified safe house. This allowed them to rehearse and perfect every possible method of entry and exit, ensuring operational precision.
Execution of Operation Absolute Resolve
The plan received final authorisation from then-President Donald Trump, though its execution was delayed. Military chiefs waited for four days for optimal conditions, specifically better weather and reduced cloud cover, to maximise the element of surprise. The final order to proceed was given by President Trump at 22:46 Eastern Standard Time on a Friday night, which was shortly before midnight in Caracas.
General Dan Caine, the nation's highest-ranking military officer, stated that forces had been on standby through the Christmas and New Year period. "The president said to us... good luck and godspeed," Gen Caine recounted. The subsequent mission, conducted by air, land, and sea, lasted two hours and twenty minutes.
US officials have stressed that no American military personnel were injured or killed during the raid, and no equipment was lost or damaged. The operation successfully resulted in Maduro being shackled and taken into US custody.
International Fallout and Condemnation
The successful capture has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and prompted fierce international criticism. Notably, the US Congress was neither informed nor consulted prior to the action. Brazil's President, Lula da Silva, condemned the raid, warning it set "yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community." Russia has also joined in the condemnation of the US-led operation.
The mission, while a tactical success for US planners, has ignited a major debate over sovereignty and the rules of international engagement, leaving allies and adversaries alike reassessing the boundaries of military power.
