US Strikes Venezuelan Military Site in Operation to Capture Maduro

New satellite imagery reveals extensive damage at the Fuerte Tiuna military complex in Caracas following United States military strikes conducted as part of an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The images, captured by the spatial intelligence firm Vantor, show destroyed military storage buildings, damaged equipment, and destroyed security structures at the critical military installation.

The strikes occurred during "Operation Absolute Resolve," a highly complex raid that began late Friday night and continued into the early hours of Saturday. US military aircraft, including fighter jets, surveillance planes, bombers, and drones, targeted Venezuela's air defenses to clear a path for apprehension forces. President Donald Trump confirmed that the operation successfully captured Maduro and his wife, who were taken into custody and flown to the USS Iwo Jima. The mission followed months of escalating tensions and a $50 million bounty on Maduro's head. While several American personnel were injured during the raid, no fatalities occurred, and the US did not lose any equipment.

Satellite imagery captured by Vantor on January 3 reveals significant destruction at the Fuerte Tiuna military complex following US strikes. The images show numerous destroyed buildings at the facility, which serves as a critical military installation housing defense ministries, major commands, official residences, and strategic infrastructure.

The spatial intelligence firm's imagery specifically documents damage to military storage buildings and equipment at the complex, including several vehicles. Security buildings at a gate to the facility were also destroyed. The contrast between images taken on December 22 and those captured after the January 3 strikes demonstrates the scope of the damage inflicted during the operation.

Fuerte Tiuna was identified as a primary target of the US mission due to its strategic importance in Venezuela's military command structure. The complex represents a central hub for the country's defense operations and houses key government military functions.

The military operation, designated as Operation Absolute Resolve, began late Friday night and extended into the early hours of Saturday. President Donald Trump revealed that the United States carried out a highly complex raid designed to capture Nicolás Maduro and extract him from Venezuela to face drug-related charges in New York. The White House had previously placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro's head in August.

According to Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the apprehension team included US law enforcement officers who broke into Maduro's fortified compound under heavy fire. The team successfully took the Venezuelan president and his wife into custody. Maduro was subsequently flown to the US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima ahead of his transfer to New York.

The operation involved months of meticulous planning and rehearsal, including the construction of a replica of Maduro's compound. This preparation mirrored tactics used by US special operations forces before the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden. The mission followed dozens of US military strikes against alleged narcotics-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

US military aircraft deployed during the operation included fighter jets, surveillance planes, bombers, and drones. These assets struck Venezuela's air defenses to create a safe corridor for the apprehension forces to locate and capture President Maduro. The operation marked a significant escalation in the Trump administration's pressure campaign against the Maduro regime.

During the raid, several American personnel sustained injuries, and one helicopter received damage from enemy fire. President Trump confirmed that despite these casualties, no American lives were lost and the United States did not lose any military equipment during the mission.

The operation occurred after the US had established a large military presence around the Caribbean region. President Trump had repeatedly threatened to pursue targets in Venezuela, and the mission represents the culmination of months of escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the Maduro regime.

The strikes have raised questions about the future of Venezuela's leadership. President Trump stated that the United States will run the country until it can ensure a safe transition of power, though specific details about how Washington will manage this process remain unclear. The operation also included the seizure of Venezuela-linked oil tankers and a naval blockade targeting sanctioned vessels.

President Trump has been encouraging American oil companies to become involved in the Venezuelan oil industry. The operation represents a significant escalation beyond previous US actions in the region.

International reaction has been mixed. Some world leaders, particularly from countries near Venezuela, have strongly criticized the mission. They were joined by some Democratic US lawmakers who expressed opposition to the operation. However, many Republicans voiced their support for the decisive action against the Maduro regime.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the Trump administration did not notify Congress ahead of the operation, informing members only after the mission had been executed. The president defended this decision to proceed without prior congressional notification.