Close to 200 U.S. military personnel have reportedly entered the Venezuelan capital of Caracas as part of a significant operation aimed at capturing leftist leader Nicolás Maduro. This announcement was made by Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth during a speech to U.S. sailors and shipbuilders.
The operation culminated over the weekend in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, effectively ending what has been described as 12 years of increasingly authoritarian rule. Washington had long accused Maduro of involvement in a drug cartel and had placed a substantial $50 million bounty on his head.
“Nearly 200 of our greatest Americans went downtown in Caracas… and grabbed an indicted individual wanted by American justice, in support of law enforcement, without a single American killed,” Hegseth stated, emphasizing the operation’s precision and the safety of U.S. personnel involved.
This operation marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Venezuelan relations, showcasing an unprecedented level of military engagement in the region. For the first time, a U.S. official disclosed the number of military forces involved, noting their entry into Caracas via helicopter. The operation also saw the utilization of over 150 military aircraft, which played various roles, including striking Venezuelan defenses to facilitate the mission.
Maduro, a self-described socialist, is known for his authoritarian grip on power, having maintained control through a series of elections that have been widely criticized for being rigged and lacking legitimacy. Following their capture, both Maduro and Flores entered pleas of not guilty in a New York court on Monday, setting the stage for what could be a lengthy legal battle.
