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Senior leaders from the administration went to Capitol Hill to defend one of the boldest armed interventions in modern American memory: the forcible capture of a current national leader 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 informed 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 New York City jail cell.

This session marked the first time the entire chamber heard details of the 3 January attack, which involved U.S. special forces swooping into Venezuela before dawn to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

A Plan Centered on Oil

Officials described a three-phase plan for Venezuela that was centered on oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, creating opportunities 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 Emerges in Washington

Apart from petroleum, the operation has split Washington along predictable lines. Republicans have rallied behind the characterization of the raid as a simple arrest operation targeting an accused narcotics kingpin. Opposition party members warn of an illegal act of war that could destabilize the South American nation and set a dangerous precedent for unilateral presidential action.

“What we did is we took out an leader without a proper mandate,” one Republican senator said. “He was never duly elected, so there can’t be a change in government if he should have never been put in place to begin with.”

Operational Timeline and Court Case

In the pre-dawn operation, elite troops struck multiple targets across northern Venezuela, captured Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a U.S. Navy ship, flew them to a stateside base, and then turned them over to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro appeared before a judge entering a denial to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.

Democratic Skepticism and Citizen Concern

One Democratic senator emerged from the closed-door session 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 under threat of force for an undefined period as leverage 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 majority of Americans believe the operation should have required legislative authorization. Separate surveys found roughly three-quarters express worry the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall sentiment echoes 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 how long this is going to last. We need answers on military presence, funding, and what guardrails are in place.”

Uncertain Future and International Condemnation

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

“The reality is the entire previous government structure is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capacity of our military... but there is little clarity about the future plan.”

International condemnation has been rapid. Numerous nations have censured the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers called for Maduro’s immediate release, while the U.S. justified the move as targeted law enforcement.

Broader Strategic Focus

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

“China and Russia are conducting activities near Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a very keen interest 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 full display.”