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Top officials from the administration went to Capitol Hill to defend one of the boldest armed interventions in recent US history: the seizure of a current national leader from his home city.

Details of the Raid Disclosed to Senators

The secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general, the CIA director, and the top military officer informed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the lightning raid that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and transported him to a detention facility in New York.

This session marked the initial instance the full Senate heard particulars of the 3 January attack, which involved U.S. special forces swooping into Venezuela before dawn to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

A Plan Centered on Oil

Officials described a threefold process for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, bringing order to the nation; next, finding access 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.”

Political Divide Erupts in Washington

Beyond the oil, the operation has split Washington along predictable lines. Republicans have rallied behind the characterization of the raid as a simple arrest operation targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Opposition party members warn of an illegal act of war that could plunge Venezuela into chaos and set a dangerous precedent for executive power.

“What we did is we took out an leader without a proper mandate,” one Republican senator said. “He was never properly voted into office, so there can’t be regime change if he should have never been put in place to begin with.”

Sequence of Events and Court Case

In the pre-dawn operation, elite troops hit several locations across northern Venezuela, captured Maduro and Flores, transported them to a naval vessel, flew them to a U.S. air base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court pleading not guilty to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.

Opposition Doubts and Public Unease

One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing 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 leverage to micromanage the country.” The senator added that they “heard no comprehensive strategy” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.

This criticism reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation should have required congressional approval. Separate surveys found about 75% express worry the U.S. will become overly entangled in Venezuela. Overall sentiment 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 how long this is going to last. We need answers on military presence, funding, and what limits are in place.”

Uncertain Future and International Condemnation

The question of what happens next in Venezuela remains murky. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “run” the country for an indeterminate time.

“The reality is the entire previous government structure is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capacity of our military... but there is no answer about what comes next.”

International condemnation has been swift. Numerous nations have denounced the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s prompt freedom, while the U.S. defended the action as a precise police action.

Broader Strategic Focus

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 maintained warships positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently took control of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, signaling it has no intention to reduce its stance.

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