Why Did the US Strike Venezuela? What We Know About the Maduro Raid

Advanced | January 6, 2026

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US Raid in Venezuela: A Late-Night Operation That Shocked the World

If you woke up and saw the headlines, you didn’t imagine it: the US raid in Venezuela ended with the U.S. capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Reports from Caracas described explosions, low-flying aircraft, and heavy military activity in the early hours of Saturday, January 3. (AP News)

What Happened on the Ground in Caracas

According to AP News, people on the ground heard at least seven blasts, and the attack lasted less than 30 minutes. The strikes also seemed to target military infrastructure. Venezuelan officials said U.S. forces captured Maduro and Flores at their home inside the Ft. Tiuna military installation outside Caracas.

How the US Says the Mission Was Planned

Reuters says U.S. planners dubbed the mission Operation Absolute Resolve, and the team rehearsed it for months. Elite U.S. troops (including Delta Force) reportedly trained using a replica of Maduro’s safe house. Reuters also reports the CIA put a team on the ground and relied on an asset close to Maduro to help track his movements. U.S. military leadership said commanders reportedly launched more than 150 aircraft from 20 bases.

Why the US Says It Did This

Publicly, the Trump administration has framed the operation as part of an aggressive push against drug trafficking and what it calls narco-terrorism. (Reuters) Reuters reports Maduro faces charges accusing him of supporting major trafficking groups, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Tren de Aragua gang. Reuters also reports prosecutors updated the charges to include Flores, and they accuse her of ordering kidnappings and murders.

The Fallout: Casualties, Law, and Global Blowback

The consequences are already ugly. Reuters reports Cuba said the operation killed 32 of its citizens—members of its armed forces and intelligence services. Meanwhile, international concern is growing over legality: Reuters reports the U.N. Security Council planned to meet to discuss the U.S. action, and Secretary-General António Guterres described it as a dangerous precedent.

Business Angle: Oil, Markets, and Uncertainty After the US Raid in Venezuela

This story isn’t only political—it’s also economic—and the US raid in Venezuela added a new layer of risk that businesses and investors hate: uncertainty. Reuters reports President Trump said the U.S. is “in charge” and spoke about oil companies returning to rebuild Venezuela’s petroleum industry. Markets reacted in mixed ways: Reuters reported stocks rose in Asia, while oil prices were choppy as investors tried to price in risk. Bottom line: the next few weeks will likely test diplomacy, stability, and economic reality.

Vocabulary

Extraction (noun) – the act of removing someone from a place, usually by force or a planned operation.
Example: The extraction of Maduro became the biggest headline of the week.
Infrastructure (noun) – important systems and facilities like bases, roads, ports, and power.
Example: The strikes appeared to target military infrastructure near Caracas.
Rehearsal (noun) – practice for a major event.
Example: Reuters reported the team rehearsed using a replica of the safe house.
Asset (noun) – a person who provides valuable help or information.
Example: An intelligence asset reportedly tracked Maduro’s movements.
Custody (noun) – being held by authorities.
Example: Maduro was taken into U.S. custody after the raid.
Indictment (noun) – a formal charge of a serious crime.
Example: Maduro has faced a U.S. indictment connected to drug trafficking accusations.
Precedent (noun) – an action that becomes an example for the future.
Example: The U.N. chief warned the raid could set a dangerous precedent.
Condemn (verb) – to publicly criticize strongly.
Example: Several governments condemned the U.S. operation.
Interim (adjective) – temporary.
Example: The leadership situation in Venezuela remains unclear, with interim roles being discussed.
Choppy (adjective) – unstable and moving up and down.
Example: Oil prices were choppy as traders reacted to uncertainty.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What details from the reports made this operation feel unusually dramatic?
Why do you think the timing and speed of the strike mattered?
What planning details stood out to you (replica, aircraft, intelligence)?
What reasons did the U.S. give for capturing Maduro?
Which consequence seems most serious right now: casualties, legality, or instability?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Should countries ever capture another country’s leader? Why or why not?
What should “international law” mean during high-stakes security operations?
How do military actions like this affect business confidence and investment?
Do you think oil interests usually make conflicts more likely, or just more intense?
What outcomes would count as “success” for the U.S. after a move like this?

Related Idiom

“Shake the hornet’s nest” – to trigger a dangerous reaction by provoking a group.

Example: Even if the U.S. sees this as a win, capturing a sitting leader could shake the hornet’s nest across the region.

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