Maduro capture claims circulating in online reports describe an alleged covert US operation involving cyber warfare, air power, and special forces—claims that remain unverified and highly contested. According to reports by the U.S. government and numerous news agencies, the United States has just conducted one of the most complex military operations in recent history, the successful attempt to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a coordinated attack against Venezuela. This operation involved the use of advanced covert intelligence systems, cyber-warfare capabilities, and overwhelming air power coupled with highly specialized ground forces.
months of preparation before a single shot
According to an announcement from US officials, the military action (i.e., raid) did not actually begin on the night of Nicolas Maduro’s capture. Rather, it reportedly began nearly four months earlier, when the “phase one shaping operations” were implemented. As part of these operations, which began in August, CIA teams were supposedly inserted covertly into Venezuela to track Maduro’s movements and establish a pattern of life for him (this being terminology used in the intelligence community for the day-to-day activities of someone). The Maduro capture claims have not been confirmed by independent observers.
Using a combination of covert means, including stealth drones and human sources close to his inner circle, analysts were able to determine Maduro’s last known location to the military base Fort Tiuna, which is south of Caracas, and poses one of the highest degrees of security in the entire country. Fort Tiuna has often been referred to as Venezuela’s “Pentagon” due to its location within a mountain range, its heavily fortified status, and the fact that it has been assigned thousands of elite troops to protect it.
Maduro capture claims describe cyber warfare and air supremacy
In mid-December, the operation increased in intensity. Reports have indicated that U.S. Cyber Command has been utilizing a specially developed piece of malware specifically designed to disable the power and communications infrastructures of Venezuela, and allows U.S. personnel to turn this malware on and off at will. When Cyberspace Command turned “OFF,” large portions of Caracas (including Fort Tiuna) experienced immediate power loss thereby denying the population the ability to communicate with each other and resulting in harm to command and control functions.
On January 3rd, at about 0300 (local time), U.S. officials were responsible for coordinating an airstrike campaign in three parts. Each airstrike was carried out by over one hundred fifty aircraft (including F-22’s, F-35’s, and B-1 bombers) and included Electronic Warfare Platforms, which sought to destroy radar systems and air defense batteries in a vast majority of several Venezuelan states. The primary goal of this campaign was to achieve total control of the Argentina region.
The Delta Force raid
The operation to liberate hostages began after the air defenses were rendered inoperative and ultimately would include operators from Delta Force, whose official name is 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, as well as members of the FBI Hostage Rescue Team. The U.S. Navy launched 11 helicopters, all from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, from an amphibious assault ship stationed off the coast of Venezuela. When crossing into Caracas, the teams were fired upon whilst flying at a low level to avoid possible radar detection.
Though they suffered one damaged aircraft, all 11 helicopters landed within Fort Tiuña and proceeded directly toward President Nicolás Maduro’s residence. Commanders in the U.S. reported that as they progressed through Caracas, they encountered hostile engagements from the ground. The U.S. forces used overwhelming force to secure the area. From U.S. intelligence sources, it was known that Maduro was barricaded within a highly reinforced structure, specifically a safe room, against all possible forms of attack. The elite assault forces breached the safe room utilizing both explosives (bombs) and specialized cutting tools. After gaining entry, they located and secured Maduro in a restrained and blindfolded exit along with his partner via helicopter.
Extraction and aftermath dominate Maduro capture claims narrative
The extraction phase of the operation was the most perilous. During this portion of the plan, U.S. military aviation targeted key installations in Venezuela to create confusion and divert enemy resources from the extraction locations for their helicopters. Reports indicated that advanced missile defence systems or advanced electronic jamming methods made it impossible for the Venezuelan military to use portable surface-to-air missile systems against the U.S. helicopters during the operation.
Despite the scale of the operation, U.S. officials have indicated that there were no deaths among American military personnel as a result of this operation; however, some did sustain injuries that were not life-threatening.
Who controls Venezuela now?
After Maduro’s capture, Donald Trump made a public statement regarding the U.S.’s involvement in Venezuela. The intention was to create a “temporary situation” for Venezuela until there could be a “safe, appropriate, judicious transition.” According to Washington, the ability to control oil exports and to gain access to Venezuelan waters gives them an opportunity to apply pressure without having to put large numbers of ground troops into Venezuela.
However, things within Venezuela today tell a different story. There is an Acting President who has taken the oath of office, while senior government officials continue to publicly express defiance of the current government ,even as it is reported that they are working with U.S. intermediaries in secret. The response to this situation from the people of Venezuela has been mixed: there are some who are celebrating the end of a long-standing Dictatorship, some denounce what they believe to be U.S. Imperialism and others will sit back and wait to see what happens concerning the reduction of the sanctions and the improvement of the economy.
legality and what comes next
The legal issues arising from the operation are serious. Unlike previous U.S. interventions, there has been no congressional authorization for this one. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Nicolas Maduro will be put on trial for drug trafficking in New York City. Maduro denies all allegations of any wrongdoing.
Regardless, current events have created a fragile moment in time for Venezuela between a sense of relief, anxiety, and the unknown. The consequences of the extraordinary operations will continue to have effects throughout the country.
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