The United States military successfully executed a complex operation on December 3, 2023, aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This operation, termed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” involved meticulous planning and coordination between various branches of the U.S. military and intelligence agencies, according to Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Caine detailed that the operation required the use of over 150 aircraft, including bombers, fighters, and surveillance planes, which launched from 20 different bases across the Western Hemisphere. “The sheer complexity of such a mission involved precise timing and coordination to deploy an interdiction force into downtown Caracas while maintaining tactical surprise,” he stated. He emphasized that any failure of even one component could have jeopardized the entire mission.
In the lead-up to the operation, the U.S. significantly increased its military presence in the region. The most notable addition was the arrival of the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group in mid-November, which bolstered the U.S. military’s operational capabilities. By early December, intelligence reports provided detailed insights into Maduro’s daily routines, including information about his pets, which played a crucial role in planning the extraction.
Weather conditions initially delayed the operation. However, with the weather clearing, President Donald Trump issued the go order at 22:46 ET. “At that point, aircraft began launching, and within hours, we had thousands of hours of experience in the air,” Caine noted. The operation included extraction forces comprised of helicopters flying at low altitudes.
Non-kinetic measures were employed from both U.S. Space Command and U.S. Cyber Command to suppress Venezuelan defenses prior to kinetic strikes, which were executed by an escort force. Caine described how these forces were protected by a range of aircraft, including F-22s, F-35s, B-2s, and B-1s, along with numerous drones.
By 01:01 AM ET, the helicopter force reached Maduro’s compound. Caine recounted how the apprehension team descended swiftly, executing their mission with precision and discipline. Although Caine refrained from providing detailed information about the capture, Trump stated that he observed the operation in real-time and noted that Maduro attempted to escape to a secure area before being apprehended.
During the operation, the helicopters faced gunfire, to which they responded with overwhelming force in self-defense. Caine confirmed that while one aircraft sustained damage, all involved in the operation returned safely. Additionally, there were multiple defensive engagements as the team withdrew from Venezuela. The extraction was successful, with the forces returning to their afloat launch bases by 03:29 AM ET, carrying the apprehended individuals aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
Caine highlighted that no American personnel or vehicles were lost during the operation, attributing this success to the rigorous joint training conducted by U.S. forces. “What we witnessed today is a powerful demonstration of America’s joint force,” he stated, underscoring the importance of preparation and readiness. He concluded by noting that U.S. forces remain stationed in the region, maintaining a high state of readiness to project power and defend national interests.
