In a detailed briefing, General John Daniel "Raizin" Cane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided a minute-by-minute account of a significant U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The announcement came during a press event held at Mar-a-Lago, where President Donald Trump also spoke about the mission's success.
According to General Cane, the operation was the result of an extensive intelligence-gathering process that began in August 2025, following the tracking of Maduro's movements, habits, and security routines. The U.S. military's strategic patience paid off when, on a late Friday night, President Trump authorized the operation at 10:46 p.m. Eastern Time, wishing the joint forces "Good luck and God speed."
The mission involved a weeks-long buildup of 150 aircraft strategically positioned across the Western Hemisphere. The diverse air package featured state-of-the-art fighters, bombers, intelligence aircraft, helicopters, and drones, including F-22s, F-35s, F-18s, EA-18 electronic warfare aircraft, and B-1 and B-2 bombers. Surveillance platforms provided constant overwatch as Army Delta Force helicopters flew low over the Atlantic to evade detection en route to the Venezuelan coast.
Upon nearing Caracas, U.S. cyber and space-based assets were engaged to disrupt communications, ensuring a clear path for the assault force. Despite encountering anti-aircraft fire, U.S. aircraft neutralized the threats, as reported by the Daily Mail. The element of surprise was maintained, allowing Delta Force troops to reach Maduro's compound at approximately 1:01 a.m. Eastern Time, where they executed the capture with precision and speed.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody and transported to the USS Iwo Jima, confirming no U.S. personnel fatalities during the mission. President Trump later disclosed that Maduro's attempt to escape into a panic room was unsuccessful.
The mission was monitored live by high-ranking U.S. officials, including President Trump, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, from a temporary situation room at Mar-a-Lago. Following the operation, Trump declared that the U.S. would temporarily oversee Venezuela to facilitate a stable transition and suggested that the country's oil wealth could aid its recovery.
The capture sparked celebrations among Venezuelans abroad, but also prompted lines for food in Caracas, reflecting the uncertainty about the nation's future. General Cane emphasized the audacity of the operation and the interagency collaboration that spanned months of preparation, built on decades of experience.
