🔗 Share this article

Top officials from the administration arrived on Capitol Hill to defend one of the boldest armed interventions in modern American memory: the seizure of a current national leader from his home city.

Details of the Raid Revealed to Lawmakers

Key cabinet members, the nation's top lawyer, the intelligence chief, and the chair of the joint chiefs briefed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the lightning raid that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and transported him to a detention facility in New York.

This session marked the first time the entire chamber heard details of the 3 January attack, which involved elite American troops entering Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

A Plan Centered on Oil

Officials described a three-phase plan for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, bringing order to the nation; next, finding access for companies to enter the Venezuelan market; and a final phase described as “one of transition.”

“We are going to take between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil,” one official stated. “We’re going to sell it in the marketplace at market rates, not at the discounts Venezuela was getting.”

Partisan Split Erupts in Washington

Beyond the oil, the operation has split Washington along expected partisan divides. GOP lawmakers have rallied behind the characterization of the raid as a simple arrest operation targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Opposition party members warn of an illegal act of war that could plunge Venezuela into chaos and set a dangerous precedent for executive power.

“What we did is we took out an illegitimate president,” one Republican senator said. “He was never duly elected, so there can’t be regime change if he should have never been in power to begin with.”

Operational Timeline and Legal Proceedings

In the pre-dawn operation, special operations forces struck multiple targets across the country's north, captured Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a naval vessel, airlifted them to a stateside base, and then turned them over to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court entering a denial to charges including “drug terrorism” conspiracy.

Opposition Doubts and Public Unease

One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing incredulous, stating the administration is “going to take the oil by force.”

“This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about stealing Venezuelan oil at gunpoint for an undefined period as leverage to control the nation's affairs.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.

This criticism reflects wider citizen anxiety. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation ought to have needed legislative authorization. Separate surveys found about 75% express concern the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall public opinion mirrors the political division on Capitol Hill.

“Across America, people are just saying what the hell is going on?” a senior Democratic leader stated. “We need answers as to how long this is going to last. We need answers on military presence, financial cost, and what limits are in place.”

Uncertain Future and International Condemnation

The question of what happens next in Venezuela remains murky. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “run” the country for an unspecified period.

“The reality is the entire previous government structure is still intact,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in great admiration of the capability of our military... but there is no answer about what comes next.”

Global criticism has been swift. Numerous nations have censured the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s prompt freedom, while the U.S. defended the action as a precise police action.

Broader Strategic Focus

Republican lawmakers are also turning their attention toward Greenland, citing defense concerns.

“China and Russia are conducting activities near Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a significant strategic stake in Greenland.”

The administration has kept a naval fleet positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently seized Venezuela-linked oil tankers, indicating it has no intention to reduce its stance.

“Our military is prepared to continue this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of deeds to promote our national goals, and that is on full display.”