The geopolitical landscape of the Western Hemisphere has been irrevocably altered following the execution of Operation Absolute Resolve, a high-stakes U.S. military mission that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. While the initial extraction on January 3, 2026, by elite Delta Force commandos stunned the world, the aftershocks are only now intensifying. As of January 9, Washington is embroiled in a constitutional battle over war powers, while Caracas remains in a fragile state of transition under U.S. oversight, marking the most significant US intervention in Venezuela in over a century.

Operation Absolute Resolve: A Dawn Raid That Changed History

In a precision operation that military analysts are already comparing to the 1989 invasion of Panama, U.S. special operations forces breached the presidential compound in Caracas in the early hours of January 3. Backed by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the team extracted Maduro and Flores without suffering any U.S. fatalities, though a Chinook pilot was reportedly wounded. The couple was transported to the USS Iwo Jima before being flown to New York.

On Monday, January 5, the deposed leader stood before a federal judge in Manhattan, pleading not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking—accusations stemming from a 2020 indictment. The sight of a sitting head of state in U.S. federal custody has sent shockwaves through global diplomatic circles, raising questions about sovereignty and the reach of American judicial power.

Washington Divided: Senate Challenges Trump's 'Hemisphere First' Doctrine

While the operation was a tactical success, the political fallout in Washington has been swift and severe. On Thursday, January 8, the U.S. Senate voted 52-47 to advance a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Trump’s ability to conduct further military actions in Venezuela without congressional approval. The bipartisan rebuke highlights growing unease on Capitol Hill regarding the administration's unilateral approach.

President Trump, however, has doubled down on his strategy. In a defiant interview with the New York Times on January 8, he asserted that the U.S. could "oversee" Venezuela for "much longer" than a year. The administration has made it clear that access to Venezuelan oil is a primary objective, with plans to use revenue from the country’s vast petroleum reserves to fund reconstruction efforts. This "Hemisphere First" approach has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and international allies, who warn of an indefinite occupation masquerading as a transition.

The 'Peace Gesture': Prisoner Releases and Political Maneuvering

In a surprising development late Thursday, the acting Venezuelan government—now led by former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez—began releasing "significant numbers" of political prisoners. High-profile opposition figures, including Biagio Pilieri and Enrique Márquez, were among those freed from the notorious El Helicoide detention center.

The Trump administration claimed credit for the move, with officials characterizing it as a direct result of U.S. pressure. "Everything we've wanted, they've given us," Trump stated, signaling a pragmatic, albeit controversial, willingness to work with elements of the old regime like Rodríguez to ensure stability, rather than immediately handing power to the traditional opposition.

The Opposition's Dilemma: Machado and González Left in Limbo?

The U.S. strategy has placed Venezuela's opposition in a precarious position. María Corina Machado, the fiery opposition leader and recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate, appeared on Fox News praising the operation but demanding an immediate transition to President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia. "The time for freedom has come," she declared, vowing to return to Venezuela to oversee the restoration of democracy.

However, the White House has signaled skepticism about Machado's ability to unite the fractured country. By engaging directly with Delcy Rodríguez, Washington appears to be prioritizing stability and oil production over an immediate democratic handover. This has created a tense dynamic where the recognized winner of the 2024 election, González, stated on January 8 that Maduro’s removal is "important but not enough" without a full dismantling of the regime's apparatus.

Regional Ripple Effects: Brazil Mobilizes

The Maduro arrested today narrative has shifted to regional security concerns. Brazil has deployed National Guard troops to its northern border in Roraima, anticipating a potential wave of migration or violence from armed colectivos and remnants of the Venezuelan military. The vacuum of power in Caracas has created a volatile environment, with Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claiming over 100 casualties during the U.S. operation—a figure that remains unverified but has stoked anti-American sentiment among regime loyalists.

As the Trump administration Venezuela policy unfolds, the world watches to see if this intervention will lead to a democratic renaissance or plunge the oil-rich nation into a prolonged period of foreign-managed semi-governance. For now, the "Absolute Resolve" of the U.S. military has been proven, but the political resolve to rebuild a shattered nation is only just being tested.