In one of its most dramatic overseas operations in recent years, the United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a large-scale military raid likened to the 2011 Abbottabad mission that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
US President Donald Trump announced the operation on social media, claiming American forces had successfully carried out a coordinated strike against Venezuela’s leadership. According to Trump, Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country in an operation conducted jointly with US law enforcement agencies.
The raid involved some of America’s most elite military units, including the highly secretive Delta Force, which specialises in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue and high-value target missions. Special Operations Aviation units, particularly the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, provided air support using advanced helicopters designed for covert nighttime operations.
More than 150 US aircraft were reportedly deployed, including B-1 bombers, F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters, F/A-18 Super Hornets and surveillance aircraft. Intelligence support came from the CIA, which had reportedly placed operatives on the ground months earlier to track Maduro’s movements and identify the right moment for capture.
After being seized, Maduro was flown to a US military base and later transported aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima before being taken to New York. There, he and his wife appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and related charges.
The operation came at a heavy cost. Venezuelan authorities claim dozens of security personnel and civilians were killed, while Cuba confirmed the deaths of its military and police officers stationed in Venezuela, declaring days of national mourning.
Following Maduro’s arrest, his former deputy Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, plunging Venezuela into fresh political uncertainty and escalating tensions across the region.
