Operation Absolute Resolve

Operation Absolute Resolve was a US military operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The operation, which involved US spies monitoring Maduro for months, culminated in a raid on his compound in early December 2026. Maduro was successfully taken into US custody. The Venezuelan government claims that approximately 100 people were killed during the operation, including members of the Venezuelan army and Cuban officials. The operation has sparked significant political controversy in the US, with Republicans largely defending the Trump administration's actions and Democrats decrying it as an audacious and potentially illegal act of aggression. The event has also highlighted the complexities of US-Venezuelan relations, particularly regarding oil and the role of Venezuela's interim government, which has been receiving funds from US-brokered oil sales. The success of the operation and its aftermath have left Venezuela's opposition both elated and frustrated, as the long-term implications for the country remain uncertain.