A highly coordinated military operation resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on the night of December 3, 2023. According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, this extensive undertaking involved meticulous planning between U.S. military and intelligence agencies. The operation, named Operation Absolute Resolve, showcased the U.S. military’s capabilities, employing over 150 aircraft from various bases across the Western Hemisphere.
General Caine described the operation as a complex endeavor that required precise timing and coordination. “The word integration does not explain the sheer complexity of such a mission,” he stated. The mission aimed to deploy an interdiction force into downtown Caracas while maintaining tactical surprise. Caine emphasized that any failure in one aspect of the operation could have jeopardized the entire mission.
In the lead-up to the operation, the U.S. military bolstered its presence in the region, notably with the arrival of the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group in mid-November. By early December, U.S. intelligence had gathered sufficient information about Maduro’s daily routines, even including details about his pets, allowing the Pentagon to prepare for execution of the operation.
Weather conditions initially postponed the launch, but by 22:46 ET, President Donald Trump authorized the operation. Aircraft began to take off from 20 bases, with a diverse array of military assets including bombers, fighters, reconnaissance, and surveillance aircraft. Caine noted that the youngest crew member involved in the operation was just 20 years old, while the oldest was 49.
The operation’s air component included an extraction force made up of helicopters, which flew at low altitudes to avoid detection. Non-kinetic effects were employed by U.S. Space Command and U.S. Cyber Command to suppress Venezuelan defenses in advance of kinetic strikes from support forces. These included advanced aircraft such as F-22s, F-35s, and B-2 bombers, among others.
By 01:01 AM ET, the helicopter force reached Maduro’s compound. The apprehension team executed the mission with remarkable speed and precision. Although General Caine refrained from detailing the immediate events surrounding the capture, President Trump revealed that Maduro attempted to escape to a safe room when U.S. troops apprehended him.
During the operation, helicopters came under fire. Caine stated that the U.S. forces responded with “overwhelming force and self-defense.” Despite being hit, all aircraft returned safely. The operation did not conclude without further engagement; Caine reported multiple self-defense encounters as the forces withdrew from Venezuela.
The extraction team successfully departed the area, with the USS Iwo Jima serving as their point of return. The operation concluded by 03:29 AM ET, with no American personnel or equipment lost. General Caine attributed this success to the extensive joint training and preparation that U.S. forces undergo.
“What we’ve witnessed today is a powerful demonstration of America’s joint force,” Caine emphasized. He underscored that the military continuously trains and rehearses to ensure operational success. With U.S. forces remaining in the region at a high state of readiness, the Pentagon is prepared to project power and defend American interests as necessary.
