(CARACAS, VENEZUELA) – In a dramatic pre-dawn operation that has fundamentally reshaped the geopolitical landscape, United States Special Forces have captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas. The surgical strike, conducted by Delta Force units, successfully extracted the leader of the Venezuelan regime, who has since been transported to New York City to face federal indictments for narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
This operation serves as a profound embarrassment for the Russian dictator, Vladimir, who had signed a high profile strategic defence partnership with Venezuela as recently as October 2024. Despite claims from Russian state media that their supplied S-300 and Buk air defence systems had “shattered the myth of American air dominance,” US forces reportedly neutralised these layers with ease. The Russian dictator has notably failed to provide any military assistance to his ally, marking another significant loss of influence following the recent collapse of the Assad regime in Syria in November – December 2024.
Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States will effectively oversee the administration of Venezuela for the foreseeable future. “We’re going to run Venezuela until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” Trump stated, notably avoiding any commitment to democratic elections. He has expressed personal scepticism regarding popular opposition figures like Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, suggesting instead that the US may work with Maduro’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, provided she cooperates with American interests.
The primary objective of the intervention appears to be the securing of Venezuela’s immense natural resources. Venezuela possesses the largest proven oil reserves in the world, exceeding even those of Saudi Arabia and Russia. By bringing Venezuela into a Western alignment, the US-led alliance would control approximately half of the global oil supply, significantly undermining the OPEC cartel.
