Top officials from the administration went to Capitol Hill to defend one of the most audacious armed interventions in recent US history: the forcible capture of a sitting head of state from his own capital.
Operation Particulars Revealed to Lawmakers
The secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general, the CIA director, and the top military officer informed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the swift strike that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his Caracas residence and transported him to a New York City jail cell.
This briefing marked the first time the entire chamber heard particulars of the early January operation, which involved U.S. special forces entering Venezuela before dawn to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
A Plan Centered on Oil
Officials described a three-phase plan for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, bringing order to the nation; next, creating opportunities for companies to operate in the Venezuelan market; and a final phase described as “one of transition.”
“We are going to take between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil,” one official stated. “We’re going to sell it in the marketplace at market rates, not at the discounts Venezuela was getting.”
Political Divide Emerges in Washington
Beyond the oil, the operation has divided the capital along expected partisan divides. GOP lawmakers have rallied behind the portrayal of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an accused narcotics kingpin. Opposition party members warn of an unlawful military aggression that could destabilize the South American nation and set a dangerous precedent for executive power.
“What we did is we took out an illegitimate president,” one Republican senator said. “He was never duly elected, so there can’t be a change in government if he should have never been put in place to begin with.”
Operational Timeline and Court Case
In the early morning hours, special operations forces struck multiple targets across the country's north, captured Maduro and Flores, transported them to a U.S. Navy ship, airlifted them to a stateside base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro appeared before a judge entering a denial to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.
Opposition Doubts and Public Unease
One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing incredulous, stating the administration is “going to take the oil by force.”
“This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about stealing Venezuelan oil under threat of force for an undefined period as a bargaining chip to micromanage the country.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.
This criticism reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation ought to have needed congressional approval. Separate surveys found roughly three-quarters express worry the U.S. will become overly entangled in Venezuela. Overall public opinion mirrors the political division on Capitol Hill.
“Across America, people are just saying what is happening?” a senior Democratic leader stated. “We need answers as to how long this is going to last. We need answers on military presence, financial cost, and what guardrails are in place.”
Uncertain Future and International Condemnation
The question of what happens next in Venezuela remains unclear. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “run” the country for an unspecified period.
“The reality is the entire previous government structure is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capacity of our military... but there is little clarity about the future plan.”
International condemnation has been rapid. Numerous nations have censured the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s immediate release, while the U.S. defended the action as targeted law enforcement.
Wider Security Concerns
Republican lawmakers are also narrowing their sights toward Greenland, citing national security concerns.
“China and Russia are conducting activities near Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a significant strategic stake in Greenland.”
The administration has maintained warships positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently seized Venezuela-linked oil tankers, indicating it has no plans to ease pressure.
“Our military is prepared to continue this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of deeds to promote our national goals, and that is on clear view.”
