Trump’s Bold Moves in Venezuela
President Donald Trump has made significant strides in his election campaign, aiming to restore stability in Venezuela and curb China’s influence in the Western Hemisphere.
Operation Absolute Resolve has been noted as a tactical success for the U.S. military. However, the true challenge lies ahead: transforming Venezuela without getting mired in complexities.
The capture of President Nicolas Maduro was orchestrated by Dan “Razin” Kaine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This operation, reminiscent of the previous Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran, deployed over 150 aircraft and relied on American air dominance. Kane credited his success to years spent hunting terrorists, noting that intelligence had tracked Maduro’s daily activities, even down to his pets.
“We watched, we waited, we prepared,” Kane explained. For several days, U.S. naval and aerial forces were on heightened alert. When weather conditions improved, allowing visibility, “the world’s most skilled aviators” arrived to secure Maduro while joint forces laid the groundwork for an effective operation.
The U.S. military executed a surprise attack, overwhelming Venezuela’s air defenses with support from U.S. Space Command and U.S. Cyber Command, effectively blinding the country’s military. Special forces helicopters swiftly inserted troops into Maduro’s location, capturing him just before he attempted to flee.
“He tried to reach safety, but he couldn’t manage it,” Trump remarked.
Extracting from hostile airspace at 1:01 a.m. ET, it took until 3:29 a.m. for the helicopter carrying Maduro to escape following several skirmishes. The situation on the ground was tense, but tactical air support from F-22s, F-35s, B-1 bombers, and other aircraft ensured safety. There were also numerous drones and various special forces aircraft involved.
President Trump monitored the entire operation, witnessing its execution via drones and other tactical resources.
Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation in Caracas must have been taken aback. They had just sent diplomats to assess their $67 billion investment in Venezuela, only to learn they were guests at Maduro’s last gathering hours before the airstrikes commenced.
This operation has drawn comparisons to the 1989 capture of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.
Despite the military achievements, the true test of Operation Absolute Resolve will come from Venezuela’s future. The wisdom of Colin Powell echoes: it’s ultimately the local people’s responsibility to rebuild. That sentiment reflects lessons learned from past U.S. interventions.
Trump’s vision differs. He believes a successful alliance with the U.S. can bring wealth and security to Venezuela. Yes, Trump has expressed anger over the chaos brought by crime and drugs, claiming they have infiltrated America. “They took all our oil long ago. We want it back,” he stated.
His team seems to have had long-term plans for Venezuela, giving Maduro opportunities to surrender. According to Rubio, Maduro rejected “multiple generous offers” and chose a reckless path instead.
Rubio is already engaged in discussions with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who, according to Trump, is “kind” yet has “no choice” in this matter.
Looking ahead, Trump intends to open up Venezuela to oil companies familiar with the region’s resources. With approximately 303 billion barrels of oil, Venezuela possesses more than Saudi Arabia. However, under the socialist regime, oil production has plummeted.
Importantly, Trump’s strategy goes beyond mere oil production. He views Venezuela as a critical piece in the long-term global contest against China. A prosperous, free Venezuela could serve as a significant asset in this ongoing geopolitical battle. Ultimately, whether Trump’s administration can achieve a “proper and prudent transition of power” remains to be seen.
Trump is set on aligning Venezuela with U.S. interests.
