"The Weather Broke Just Enough": General Dan Caine Details Final Go-Ahead for Operation Absolute Resolve
US forces waited for clear skies before striking Venezuela.
The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, followed months of meticulous planning by US forces under the codename Operation Absolute Resolve. Over 150 defence assets were prepared, and troops trained extensively for a complex mission spanning air, ground, maritime, and intelligence operations. The strike, however, was repeatedly delayed due to seasonal weather conditions in Venezuela.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs, confirmed that low clouds, mountainous terrain, and oceanic patterns posed significant obstacles, making execution feasible only under precise conditions. The operation, ready since before Christmas, required optimal visibility for skilled aviators to safely manoeuvre across Caracas and Maduro’s compound.
On Friday night, at 10:46 pm ET, President Donald Trump gave the decisive go-ahead, instructing forces with the words: “Good luck and godspeed.” Within hours, helicopters and aircraft from 20 bases across the Western Hemisphere moved into position. By 2:01 am ET on Saturday, US forces had landed in Maduro’s compound, completed the operation in under 30 minutes, and returned with Maduro and Flores to US soil.
Also Read: Trump’s Venezuela Operation Echoes Past American Mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan
Following his extradition, Maduro was placed in a New York jail, facing charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, corruption, and misuse of diplomatic passports. Trump signalled potential US involvement in Venezuela’s oil industry, highlighting plans for American companies to repair infrastructure and tap into the nation’s crude reserves, which produce nearly one million barrels per day.
Amid escalating tensions, Maduro’s Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, rejected US intentions and demanded Maduro’s release. The United Nations Security Council is set to convene at Venezuela’s request to discuss the crisis, underscoring the international stakes of the unprecedented operation.
Also Read: India Seeks Peaceful Resolution After US Detains Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
