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Top officials from the administration arrived on Capitol Hill to justify one of the most audacious military operations in modern American memory: the forcible capture of a sitting head of state from his own capital.

Details of the Raid Disclosed to Lawmakers

The secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general, the intelligence chief, and the top military officer briefed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the swift strike that removed the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and brought him to a New York City jail cell.

This session marked the initial instance the entire chamber heard details of the early January operation, which involved U.S. special forces swooping into Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours 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, 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 Erupts in Washington

Apart from petroleum, the operation has divided the capital along expected partisan divides. GOP lawmakers have united in support of the characterization of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Democrats warn of an unlawful military aggression that could plunge Venezuela into chaos 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 properly voted into office, so there can’t be a change in government if he should have never been put in place to begin with.”

Operational Timeline and Legal Proceedings

In the pre-dawn operation, special operations forces hit several locations across northern Venezuela, apprehended Maduro and Flores, transported them to a naval vessel, flew them to a stateside base, and then turned them over to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro appeared before a judge pleading not guilty to charges including “drug terrorism” conspiracy.

Democratic Skepticism and Public Unease

One Democratic senator emerged from the closed-door session disbelieving, 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 unspecified time as a bargaining chip to micromanage the country.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s future stability.

This criticism reflects wider citizen anxiety. Polls indicate a majority of Americans believe the operation ought to have needed congressional approval. 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 the hell is going on?” a senior Democratic leader stated. “We need answers as to the duration of this engagement. We need answers on troop levels, funding, and what guardrails are in place.”

Unclear Path Ahead and Global Criticism

The question of the next steps in Venezuela remains unclear. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “manage” 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 no answer about what comes next.”

International condemnation 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. defended the action as targeted law enforcement.

Wider Security Concerns

Republican lawmakers are also narrowing their sights toward Greenland, citing defense 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 kept a naval fleet positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently took control of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, indicating it has no plans 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 promote our national goals, and that is on full display.”