U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine provided a detailed public briefing alongside President Donald Trump on the military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the early morning of January 2, 2026. According to U.S. officials, the mission was the culmination of months of planning, rehearsals, and interagency coordination and was intended to extend beyond ordinary military actions in its complexity and precision. Caine described the raid as a deliberate tactical extraction, emphasizing preparation and restraint rather than overwhelming force. The operation was publicly disclosed after video emerged showing Maduro in custody with U.S. agents, a shocking development that reverberated through international media and diplomacy.

Gen. Caine stressed that the success of the mission lay in the extraordinary level of coordination across branches and regions. The operation—officially called Operation Absolute Resolve—involved more than 150 aircraft launching from about 20 land and sea bases across the Western Hemisphere, in a carefully synchronized window designed to preserve surprise and reduce risk to personnel. Crews from Air Force, Navy, Marines, and allied units practiced repeatedly to synchronize movements down to the minute. Weather and geography posed significant challenges; planners waited for conditions that would allow low-altitude ingress and minimal detection. Caine noted that even small deviations could threaten the mission’s success.

The operation was supported by extensive intelligence work and interagency cooperation, involving the CIA, NSA, NGA, and other agencies that helped build a detailed understanding of Maduro’s movements and patterns. These agencies contributed to tracking key behaviors and maintaining real-time situational awareness. Law enforcement personnel were also embedded with military forces to ensure that, once targets were secured, the apprehensions complied with legal procedures. Caine described how the joint force moved in with helicopters at low altitude—about 100 feet over water—to minimize detection, while Space Command, Cyber Command, and other non-kinetic systems helped create a secure pathway for the extraction force.

As the joint force neared Caracas, specialized aircraft worked to disable Venezuelan air defenses so that rotary units could reach the target area securely. Platforms such as F-22s, F-35s, F/A-18s, EA-18G electronic warfare jets, E-2 command and control aircraft, B-1 bombers, and drones provided layered support without escalating the situation beyond its specific mission scope. At approximately 1:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (2:01 a.m. Caracas), extraction forces rapidly isolated Maduro’s compound and secured the surrounding area. The force came under fire during the assault, prompting U.S. troops to return fire in self-defense; one U.S. aircraft was hit but remained operational. Caine and Trump both underscored that no U.S. personnel were killed, framing this as a testament to preparation and discipline rather than luck.

Once Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were secured, the focus shifted to exfiltration. The joint force maintained air coverage and tight coordination during departure from Venezuelan airspace, where additional self-defense engagements reportedly occurred. Caine emphasized that the mission was narrowly defined: it was not intended to occupy Venezuelan territory or engage in prolonged combat, but to accomplish the specific objective of apprehending individuals indicted by U.S. authorities and withdraw swiftly. Maduro and Flores were taken into custody and transferred aboard U.S. assets, with U.S. officials stating they will face legal proceedings in the United States. The successful withdrawal of all personnel and equipment was presented as equally important to the capture itself.

In framing the operation, Caine highlighted joint force readiness, professionalism, and interagency cooperation under extremely demanding conditions. He described it as a rare example of what U.S. forces are capable of when given a narrowly tailored mission with clear objectives. The announcement—and the level of public detail provided—reflects the political and diplomatic significance of the action, which has already triggered widespread international reaction and legal debate. While U.S. officials emphasize legality under U.S. indictments and focused intent, critics argue that unilateral military action against a sovereign head of state raises profound questions under international law and norms of sovereignty. As global responses continue to unfold, Caine’s remarks represent the most detailed official account of how the operation was planned and executed, illustrating a complex blend of military capability and political decision-making.

Maduro’s Capture — In case you missed it: Gen Dan Caine, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff explains the details of Operation Absolute Resolve

I highly recommend watching this video. pic.twitter.com/AA4H50o2Ni

— ZIONS OF ISRAEL (@Israeli_Sniper) January 4, 2026