Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine provided new details on Operation Absolute Resolve, the highly classified U.S. military mission that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, describing it as one of the most precise and complex operations ever conducted by American forces. Speaking after the mission’s success, Caine emphasized that the operation was discreet, meticulously planned, and executed during the darkest hours of January 2, following months of preparation and full-scale rehearsal.

According to Caine, the mission represented a level of coordination and capability that only the United States military could achieve. More than 150 aircraft were launched across the Western Hemisphere and synchronized to converge at the exact moment required to create layered effects over Caracas. The objective was singular and narrowly defined: to insert an interdiction force directly into downtown Caracas while preserving total tactical surprise.

The general stressed that the operation functioned as a finely tuned machine, where failure of any single component could have jeopardized the entire mission. From air superiority to electronic warfare, cyber operations, and real-time intelligence integration, every element had to perform flawlessly. For those involved, the stakes were absolute. Aircrews and special operations forces knowingly accepted the risk of giving their lives to protect fellow Americans on the ground and in the air.

As U.S. forces approached Caracas, Venezuelan air defense systems were immediately neutralized. Caine stated that the suppression was instantaneous, clearing the path for the insertion force. At approximately 2 a.m. local time, helicopters descended into Maduro’s compound, where the apprehension force moved in without delay. Faced with overwhelming and unmistakable force, Maduro and his wife surrendered and were taken into custody.

The operation unfolded over just a few hours and involved an array of advanced platforms, including F-22s, F-35s, F-18s, EA-18s, E-2 surveillance aircraft, B-1 bombers, unmanned systems, and multiple supporting assets. Fighters and remotely piloted aircraft provided continuous coverage and suppressive fire while helicopters extracted the force and prepared for departure.

General Caine confirmed that the mission concluded with no loss of U.S. life, a result he attributed to discipline, training, and the unmatched integration of America’s joint force. He characterized Operation Absolute Resolve as a definitive demonstration of U.S. military dominance, precision, and resolve, underscoring that when national security demands action, the United States retains capabilities that no adversary can replicate or counter.