In an unprecedented late-night military operation, United States forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on charges related to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. The dramatic arrest took place in Caracas early Saturday, marking a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between Washington and the Venezuelan government.
The Daring Capture and a Defiant Challenge
The operation, codenamed "Operation Absolute Resolve", was authorized by US President Donald Trump and executed by elite units including the Army's Delta Force. Reports indicate that the raid, which lasted approximately half an hour, targeted the couple's residence inside the heavily guarded Ft Tiuna military complex. Maduro and Flores were reportedly asleep when US special forces launched their pre-dawn assault.
This bold move came months after Maduro openly taunted President Trump. In a fiery speech in August, the 63-year-old Venezuelan leader dared Trump to arrest him at the Miraflores presidential palace, stating, "Come get me. I will wait for him here in Miraflores. Don't be late, coward." His challenge was issued shortly after Washington increased the bounty for information leading to his capture.
White House Response and Viral Video
On Sunday, the White House issued a sharp rebuttal to Maduro's earlier bravado by releasing a 61-second video on the social media platform X. The clip creatively edited footage of Maduro mocking the United States with scenes from the operation that led to his arrest.
The video also featured excerpts from Trump's press conference, where US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth commented that Maduro "had his chance - until he didn't." It concluded with Hegseth's blunt and now-viral remark: "He f****d around and found out."
Intricate Planning and Charges
The successful capture was the result of months of meticulous planning and surveillance. US intelligence agencies had been covertly tracking Maduro's movements and routines since August. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, detailed the extensive effort, noting they monitored everything from his travel to his daily habits.
President Trump revealed that US forces even built an exact replica of Maduro's residence to rehearse the mission. Trump claimed he watched the final moments of the operation in real time, comparing it to watching a television show. During the raid, Maduro was allegedly apprehended as he tried to flee towards a reinforced safe room within the compound.
The couple now faces serious charges including "narco-terrorism," large-scale cocaine trafficking into the United States, and unlawful possession of weapons. They are currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, awaiting further legal proceedings. This event has sent shockwaves through international diplomacy, raising complex questions about sovereignty and the reach of US law enforcement.
