Gunfire and anti-aircraft fire lit up the night sky near Venezuela's Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on Monday, creating a tense atmosphere just days after a dramatic US-led operation captured former president Nicolás Maduro.
Operation Absolute Resolve: The Secret Capture
The events in Caracas follow the stunning conclusion of Operation Absolute Resolve, a top-secret mission launched by the United States last week. The operation's objective was to apprehend Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife on criminal charges. Conducted by elite Delta Force operatives and US law enforcement personnel, the mission was a massive logistical undertaking. It involved over 150 aircraft launched from 20 different locations, culminating in Maduro's capture in the Venezuelan capital.
The former president was swiftly transported to the United States. On Monday morning, a handcuffed Maduro, flanked by armed federal agents, stepped off a helicopter in New York City. He had spent the prior night in a federal jail in Brooklyn before being taken to a Manhattan courthouse for his arraignment.
Maduro Faces Justice in US Court
In court, Nicolás Maduro entered a plea of not guilty to criminal charges related to narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Maduro was brought to the country specifically to "face justice". The Trump administration characterized the complex international operation as "basically a law enforcement function", emphasizing it was not a military campaign.
"All personnel involved acted professionally, decisively, and in strict accordance with US law and established protocols," Bondi affirmed. However, Maduro's legal team has signaled they will challenge the legality of the US operation that led to his capture and extradition.
Aftermath and US Stance on Venezuela
The fallout from the operation continues to unfold. Shortly after the mission's success, President Donald Trump declared that the United States would 'run' Venezuela. This statement prompted swift clarification from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who explained that the US does not intend to govern the Latin American nation. Instead, the focus will be on imposing severe blockades on Venezuela's crucial oil sector, a move aimed at crippling the economy of Maduro's regime.
Back in Caracas, the situation remains volatile. CNN obtained videos from Monday night showing what appeared to be lights from drones and anti-aircraft fire across the sky near the presidential palace, indicating possible ongoing security operations or unrest in the power vacuum created by Maduro's sudden removal.
