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Top officials 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 own capital.

Operation Particulars Disclosed to Senators

Key cabinet members, the nation's top lawyer, the intelligence chief, and the top military officer informed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the lightning raid that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his Caracas residence and brought him to a detention facility in New York.

This briefing marked the first time the full Senate heard particulars of the 3 January attack, which involved U.S. special forces entering Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Strategy Focused on Petroleum

Officials described a three-phase plan for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, finding access 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 Erupts in Washington

Apart from petroleum, the operation has split Washington along expected partisan divides. GOP lawmakers have united in support of 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 plunge Venezuela into chaos and establish a troubling new norm 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.”

Sequence of Events and Legal Proceedings

In the pre-dawn operation, special operations forces struck multiple targets across northern Venezuela, captured Maduro and Flores, transported them to a naval vessel, airlifted them to a stateside base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court pleading not guilty to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.

Opposition Doubts and Citizen Concern

One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing incredulous, stating the administration is “going to take the oil through military might.”

“This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about taking the nation's petroleum resources at gunpoint for an undefined period as leverage to control the nation's affairs.” The senator added that they “heard no comprehensive strategy” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.

This pushback reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a majority of Americans believe the operation ought to have needed legislative authorization. Separate surveys found roughly three-quarters express concern the U.S. will become overly entangled in Venezuela. Overall sentiment echoes 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 the duration of this engagement. We need answers on troop levels, financial cost, and what guardrails are in place.”

Uncertain Future 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 indeterminate time.

“The reality is the entire previous government structure is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in great admiration of the capability of our military... but there is no answer about what comes next.”

International condemnation has been rapid. 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. defended the action as targeted law enforcement.

Broader Strategic Focus

Republican lawmakers are also turning their attention toward Greenland, citing defense 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 kept a naval fleet positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently took control of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, indicating it has no intention to ease pressure.

“Our military is ready to persist in this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of deeds to promote our national goals, and that is on full display.”