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Senior leaders from the administration went to Capitol Hill to justify one of the most audacious military operations in modern American memory: the forcible capture of a sitting head of state from his home city.

Details of the Raid Revealed to Lawmakers

The secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general, the CIA director, and the chair of the joint chiefs informed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the lightning raid that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and transported him to a detention facility in New York.

This session marked the first time the full Senate heard particulars of the 3 January attack, which involved elite American troops entering Venezuela before dawn to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

A Plan Centered on Oil

Officials described a threefold process for Venezuela that was centered on oil: first, bringing order to the nation; next, finding access for companies to enter the Venezuelan market; and a final phase described as “a transitional period.”

“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.”

Partisan Split Erupts in Washington

Beyond the oil, the operation has split Washington along predictable lines. Republicans have rallied behind the portrayal of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Democrats warn of an unlawful military aggression that could destabilize the South American nation and establish a troubling new norm for unilateral presidential action.

“What we did is we took out an leader without a proper mandate,” one Republican senator said. “He was never properly voted into office, so there can’t be a change in government if he should have never been in power to begin with.”

Sequence of Events and Court Case

In the early morning hours, elite troops hit several locations across the country's north, captured Maduro and Flores, transported them to a U.S. Navy ship, flew them to a stateside base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro appeared before a judge pleading not guilty to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.

Opposition Doubts and Public Unease

One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing disbelieving, stating the administration is “going to take the oil by force.”

“This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about taking the nation's petroleum resources under threat of force for an unspecified time as leverage to micromanage the country.” The senator added that they “heard no comprehensive strategy” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.

This pushback reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation should have required legislative authorization. Separate surveys found about 75% express worry the U.S. will become overly entangled in Venezuela. Overall sentiment echoes the partisan split on Capitol Hill.

“Across America, people are just saying what is happening?” a senior Democratic leader stated. “We need answers as to the duration of this engagement. We need answers on military presence, funding, and what guardrails are in place.”

Unclear Path Ahead and International Condemnation

The question of the next steps in Venezuela remains murky. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “run” the country for an unspecified period.

“The reality is the entire previous government structure is still intact,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capability of our military... but there is little clarity about what comes next.”

Global criticism has been swift. Numerous nations have denounced the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers called for Maduro’s prompt freedom, while the U.S. justified the move as a precise police action.

Wider Security Concerns

Republican lawmakers are also turning their attention toward Greenland, citing national security concerns.

“China and Russia are conducting activities near Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a very keen interest in Greenland.”

The administration has maintained warships positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently seized Venezuela-linked oil tankers, signaling it has no intention to reduce its stance.

“Our military is prepared to continue this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of action to promote our national goals, and that is on clear view.”