WASHINGTON — The operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro unfolded in near total darkness, following days of aborted plans and a final presidential order issued just minutes before midnight in Caracas.
At 22:46 EST on Friday (03:46 GMT Saturday), President Donald Trump authorized the mission, triggering a coordinated, multi-domain military operation involving air, land, and sea forces.
“We were going to do this four days ago, three days ago, two days ago,” Trump later said. “Then all of a sudden it opened up. And we said: go.”
The mission, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, lasted two hours and twenty minutes and involved a level of speed, scale, and precision that stunned U.S. officials and drew immediate international reaction.
According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Trump’s order gave U.S. forces the advantage of operating almost entirely under cover of night.
More than 150 aircraft — including bombers, fighter jets, and reconnaissance planes — were deployed during the operation, alongside naval and ground assets.
Explosions were reported across Caracas shortly after 02:00 local time, with residents describing loud blasts, shattered windows, smoke plumes, and helicopters flying low over the city.
Witnesses told reporters the capital was plunged into darkness, illuminated only by flashes from detonations.
Trump later suggested U.S. forces cut power across Caracas before the raid began, saying: “The lights of Caracas were largely turned off… It was dark and it was deadly.”
Video footage and satellite imagery reviewed by journalists confirmed strikes at multiple strategic locations, including:
Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base (La Carlota)
Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex
Port La Guaira, the capital’s main maritime gateway
Higuerote Airport, east of Caracas
U.S. officials said air defense systems and military infrastructure were among the targets.
As strikes rang out, U.S. ground forces — including members of Delta Force, the military’s elite special operations unit — moved into Caracas.
According to Gen. Caine, troops reached Maduro’s location minutes after the first strikes began. Trump described the site as a fortified compound in the heart of the capital.
“They knew we were coming,” Trump said. “They were waiting for us.”
The troops encountered gunfire upon arrival, and one U.S. helicopter was struck but remained operational.
The assault force breached reinforced steel doors — reportedly carrying blowtorches in case forced entry was required — and moved rapidly through the compound.
Trump said Maduro attempted to reach a safe room but was intercepted before he could secure himself inside.
“He made it to the door,” Trump said. “He was unable to close it. He got bum-rushed so fast.”
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was also detained during the operation. By 04:20 local time, helicopters carrying both were seen leaving Venezuelan airspace, transferring them into the custody of the U.S. Department of Justice.
They were flown toward the United States and are expected to face criminal charges in New York, where Washington had previously offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.
Trump announced the capture publicly about an hour later, declaring that Maduro would face “the full might of American justice.”
On the U.S. side, Trump said several personnel were wounded but no American troops were killed. Venezuelan authorities have not confirmed casualty figures.
The operation drew criticism from U.S. lawmakers, particularly over the lack of advance congressional notification.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the action “reckless” without authorization or a clear post-operation plan.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision, arguing that prior notification would have jeopardized the mission, citing the risk of leaks. Trump echoed the claim, saying congressional leaks would have endangered troops.
Internationally, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the capture, warning it set “an extremely dangerous precedent” for the international community.
Trump did not oversee the operation from the White House Situation Room. Instead, he watched a live video feed from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, alongside CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“It was incredible to see,” Trump said. “The speed, the violence — it was an amazing job.” — Agencies
