General Dan Cain, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, spoke at a joint press conference with President Donald Trump about how the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro went. The operation took place on the night of January 2nd to 3rd, Kun.uz reports.
How was the internship prepared?
According to Kane, preparations for this operation began about a month ago. Before that, intelligence officers worked for a long time: intelligence gathered information about Maduro's whereabouts, how he lived, and his habits. According to The New York Times sources, data obtained through satellites and drones is supplemented by data collected by sources in Venezuela, including those around Maduro.
According to Trump, the US military, based on this information, built a replica of Maduro's residence and conducted training there on how to capture him.
When the preparations were completed, it was decided to postpone the operation, as the sky in Caracas was clear at that time, and in such weather conditions, American forces could be detected much earlier than expected. And only on the night of January 3, the sky was covered with clouds.
Trump personally ordered it
Simultaneously, on President Trump's personal orders, more than 150 combat and reconnaissance aircraft, including F-35 fighters and B-1 strategic bombers, were launched from 20 bases and aircraft carriers.
Soon after, the CH-47 Chinook and CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment were put into operation. As part of this group, the army's Delta Force special forces, as well as fighters from the Ministry of Justice's security unit, flew towards Caracas. This operation was officially classified as the arrest of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, who are accused of serious crimes.
The helicopters flew over the sea at an altitude of about 30 meters. As they approached Caracas, the air force struck air defense targets in the port of La Guaira, as well as at the airports of La Carlota and Igerota, which blockade the Venezuelan capital from the coast, to ensure the safe flight of the capture group.
Events at Maduro's headquarters
The helicopters were shelled. One of them was injured and returned to the aircraft carrier. Other helicopters suppressed the firing points with retaliatory strikes.
The detention team then stormed the Venezuelan president's residence. American aviation controlled the airspace, and reconnaissance aircraft monitored the situation on the ground. Special forces detained Maduro and Flores in their dormitory. At this time, they were asleep.
A firefight broke out with the guards while the group was returning. Aircraft and drones launched airstrikes. A few minutes later, the detention team took Maduro and his wife on a helicopter and fled the scene. There were no casualties among American servicemen, only a few were injured.
Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Heggett, Presidential National Security Advisor Steven Miller, and other members of the administration, as well as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kane, watched live events in Caracas in a specially equipped room at Trump's Florida residence.
Maduro will be tried
The helicopters landed on the deck of the U.S. Navy landing ship "Ivodzima." Soon after, Trump showed a photo of Maduro in handcuffs, wearing headphones and dark glasses that didn't allow him to see the surroundings. The "Ivodzima" sailed towards the American base in Guantanamo. From there, Maduro and his wife were brought to New York on a Federal Bureau of Investigation plane. They will be tried here next week.
According to US Attorney General Pem Bondy, official charges have been filed against Nicolás Maduro and Celia Flores in the Southern District of New York. In particular, Maduro is accused of collusion for the purposes of drug terrorism, the import of cocaine into the USA, as well as the possession of weapons and explosive devices for use against the country.
Trump declared victory
US President Truth announced on social media that Maduro and his wife have been detained and evacuated from Venezuela, and that no further strikes will be carried out across Venezuela.
Later, he made several statements at a press conference regarding the details of the operation and the future of Maduro and Venezuela. According to him, electricity was cut off throughout Caracas during the operation.
Trump emphasized that Venezuela will be governed by the US until power is transferred safely, appropriately, and reasonably. He also noted that the US will invest in the Venezuelan oil industry.
"We will make the people of Venezuela rich and independent. We will make them happy. Despite all possibilities, Venezuela has practically not extracted oil. Large US companies will go there and spend billions of dollars to restore the oil infrastructure," the US leader said.
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