For months, US spies had been monitoring Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's every move. A small team, including one source within the Venezuelan government, had been observing where the 63-year-old slept, what he ate, what he wore and even, according to top military officials, his pets.
Then, in early December, a planned mission dubbed 'Operation Absolute Resolve' was finalized. It was the result of months of meticulous planning and rehearsals, which included elite US troops creating an exact full-size replica of Maduro's Caracas safe house to practice their entry routes. The plan represented an extraordinary US military intervention in Latin America not seen since the Cold War. It was closely guarded, with Congress not informed or consulted ahead of time. Top military officials awaited optimal conditions to launch the operation.
The order from President Trump to commence the mission came late at night on a Friday. The operation unfolded over two hours and twenty minutes, shocking many observers. With more than 150 aircraft involved, loud explosions were heard in Caracas, with reports of large clouds of smoke rising over the city.
US troops, including members of the elite Delta Force, infiltrated Maduro's compound shortly after the strikes began. The Venezuelan President attempted to flee but was ultimately captured. Trump later announced that Maduro would face justice in the United States, raising questions about the future of US-Venezuela relations and the international community's response to such military actions.
Then, in early December, a planned mission dubbed 'Operation Absolute Resolve' was finalized. It was the result of months of meticulous planning and rehearsals, which included elite US troops creating an exact full-size replica of Maduro's Caracas safe house to practice their entry routes. The plan represented an extraordinary US military intervention in Latin America not seen since the Cold War. It was closely guarded, with Congress not informed or consulted ahead of time. Top military officials awaited optimal conditions to launch the operation.
The order from President Trump to commence the mission came late at night on a Friday. The operation unfolded over two hours and twenty minutes, shocking many observers. With more than 150 aircraft involved, loud explosions were heard in Caracas, with reports of large clouds of smoke rising over the city.
US troops, including members of the elite Delta Force, infiltrated Maduro's compound shortly after the strikes began. The Venezuelan President attempted to flee but was ultimately captured. Trump later announced that Maduro would face justice in the United States, raising questions about the future of US-Venezuela relations and the international community's response to such military actions.
