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Senior leaders from the White House went to Capitol Hill to justify one of the most audacious armed interventions in recent US history: the seizure of a sitting head of state from his home city.

Operation Particulars Disclosed to Lawmakers

Key cabinet members, the nation's top lawyer, the intelligence chief, and the top military officer briefed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the lightning raid that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and transported him to a detention facility in New York.

This session marked the first time the full Senate heard particulars of the early January operation, which involved elite American troops entering Venezuela before dawn to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Strategy Focused on Petroleum

Officials described a three-phase plan for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, finding access for companies to operate in the Venezuelan market; and a final phase described as “one of transition.”

“We are going to take between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil,” one official stated. “We’re going to sell it in the marketplace at market rates, not at the discounts Venezuela was getting.”

Political Divide Erupts in Washington

Beyond the oil, the operation has divided the capital along predictable lines. Republicans have united in support of the portrayal of the raid as a simple arrest operation targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Opposition party members warn of an unlawful military aggression that could destabilize the South American nation and establish a troubling new norm for unilateral presidential action.

“What we did is we took out an illegitimate president,” one Republican senator said. “He was never duly elected, so there can’t be regime change if he should have never been put in place to begin with.”

Operational Timeline and Legal Proceedings

In the pre-dawn operation, elite troops struck multiple targets across the country's north, captured Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a naval vessel, flew them to a stateside base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court entering a denial to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.

Opposition Doubts and Citizen Concern

One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing incredulous, stating the administration is “going to take the oil through military might.”

“This is an reckless scheme,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about stealing Venezuelan oil at gunpoint for an unspecified time as a bargaining chip to control the nation's affairs.” The senator added that they “heard no comprehensive strategy” for ensuring Venezuela’s future stability.

This criticism reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation ought to have needed congressional approval. Separate surveys found about 75% express concern the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall public opinion mirrors the political division on Capitol Hill.

“Across America, people are just saying what is happening?” a senior Democratic leader stated. “We need answers as to the duration of this engagement. We need answers on military presence, financial cost, and what guardrails are in place.”

Uncertain Future and International Condemnation

The question of the next steps in Venezuela remains unclear. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “run” the country for an unspecified period.

“The reality is the entire previous government structure is still intact,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in great admiration of the capacity of our military... but there is little clarity about what comes next.”

International condemnation has been swift. Numerous nations have denounced the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers called for Maduro’s prompt freedom, while the U.S. defended the action as a precise police action.

Broader Strategic Focus

Republican lawmakers are also turning their attention toward Greenland, citing defense concerns.

“China and Russia are operating off the coast Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a significant strategic stake in Greenland.”

The administration has maintained warships positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently took control of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, signaling it has no intention to reduce its stance.

“Our military is ready to persist in this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of deeds to advance our interests, and that is on clear view.”