U.S. Forces Use 150 Aircraft to Seize Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro in Coordinated Operation

U.S. forces used more than 150 aircraft from 20 bases in a coordinated overnight operation that relied on tactical surprise to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in downtown Caracas.

The operation followed months of planning, intelligence collection, and rehearsal by U.S. forces, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.

Speaking after President Donald Trump announced the outcome of Operation Absolute Resolve, Caine said the mission depended on exact timing and coordination across the Western Hemisphere.

“The word ‘integration’ does not explain the sheer complexity of such a mission,” Caine said. “In total, more than 150 aircraft — bombers, fighters, intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance aircraft, rotary wing — were in the air,” Caine said, adding that crew members ranged in age from 20 to 49.

For months, U.S. intelligence agencies tracked Maduro’s movements, routines, and security arrangements, including details of his daily habits, Caine said. The Pentagon judged the operation executable by early December, though weather conditions delayed its launch.

At 10:46 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 2, Trump authorized the operation. Aircraft began launching from about 20 bases and warships across the Western Hemisphere.

Helicopters carrying the extraction force flew at roughly 100 feet above the water toward Venezuela. As they approached, the U.S. used non-kinetic actions from U.S. Space Command and U.S. Cyber Command, followed by airstrikes, to suppress Venezuelan air defenses, Caine said.

The helicopters were covered by U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Air National Guard aircraft, including F-22s, F-35s, F/A-18s, B-2s, B-1s, and remotely piloted aircraft.

At 1:01 a.m. Eastern time on Jan. 3, the helicopters reached Maduro’s compound in Caracas. They came under fire, and U.S. forces responded with what Caine described as “overwhelming force in self-defense.” One aircraft was hit but remained operational.

“The apprehension force descended into Maduro’s compound and moved with speed, precision, and discipline,” Caine said.

Trump said he watched the operation in real time and that Maduro attempted to flee to a safe room before U.S. forces detained him. Maduro and his wife, Cecilia Maduro, both indicted in the United States, were taken into custody by the Department of Justice with military support.

As the force withdrew, there were multiple exchanges of fire, Caine said. The helicopters successfully exfiltrated, clearing Venezuelan waters at 3:29 a.m. Eastern time. Maduro and his wife were transported aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

No U.S. personnel were killed and no U.S. aircraft were lost, Caine said.