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Senior leaders from the administration went to Capitol Hill to justify one of the most audacious military operations in modern American memory: the seizure of a current national leader from his own capital.

Details of the Raid Disclosed to Senators

Key cabinet members, the attorney general, the intelligence chief, and the chair of the joint chiefs briefed all 100 U.S. senators on the mission, the swift strike that removed the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his Caracas residence and transported him to a New York City jail cell.

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

A Plan Centered on Oil

Officials described a threefold process for Venezuela that was centered on oil: first, bringing order to the nation; next, creating opportunities for companies to enter 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.”

Partisan Split Emerges in Washington

Beyond the oil, the operation has split Washington along expected partisan divides. GOP lawmakers have rallied behind the portrayal of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Democrats 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 leader without a proper mandate,” one Republican senator said. “He was never duly elected, so there can’t be regime change if he should have never been in power to begin with.”

Operational Timeline and Court Case

In the early morning hours, elite troops hit several locations across northern Venezuela, apprehended Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a U.S. Navy ship, airlifted them to a U.S. air base, and then turned them over to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro appeared before a judge pleading not guilty to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.

Democratic Skepticism and Citizen Concern

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

“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 micromanage the country.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.

This criticism reflects wider citizen anxiety. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation ought to have needed congressional approval. Separate surveys found roughly three-quarters express worry the U.S. will become overly entangled in Venezuela. Overall public opinion 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 the duration of this engagement. 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 unclear. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “run” the country for an unspecified period.

“The reality is the entire Maduro apparatus is still intact,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capability of our military... but there is little clarity about the future plan.”

Global criticism has been rapid. Numerous nations have denounced the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded 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 defense concerns.

“China and Russia are operating off the coast 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 ease pressure.

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