The Caracas Raid That Worked—But Nearly Spiraled Into Disaster
In the early hours of January 7, 2026, a high-risk U.S. military operation reshaped Venezuela’s political future—while exposing the dangerous limits of modern warfare. The overnight raid that captured President Nicolás Maduro succeeded tactically, but new details reveal a grim reality: at least 100 people were killed, according to Venezuela’s interior minister Diosdado Cabello.
Until now, Caracas had avoided releasing a full casualty figure. The Venezuelan army confirmed 23 of its own personnel killed, while Cuba reported 32 military and intelligence officers died protecting Maduro. Venezuelan officials claim many members of Maduro’s security detail were killed during intense close-range combat.
The operation unfolded before dawn on Saturday, when U.S. Army helicopters flew dangerously low—about 100 feet above sea level—toward Caracas, their path cleared by cyberattacks that cut power and radar systems. More than 150 aircraft launched from 20 regional bases, marking one of the most complex U.S. military missions in recent history.
As helicopters closed in on Maduro’s fortified compound, stealth gave way to chaos. Venezuelan defenses opened fire. A CH-47 Chinook helicopter was struck, and its pilot—also the mission planner—was hit three times in the leg. For several minutes, the entire mission balanced on failure. Had that helicopter gone down in a hostile city, the consequences could have mirrored past disasters like Mogadishu in 1993.
Instead, the damaged aircraft landed. By 2:01 a.m., more than 80 U.S. commandos stormed the compound. After a fierce firefight with Cuban guards, they forced entry into Maduro’s bedroom and seized him and his wife Cilia Flores, who reportedly suffered a head injury. Maduro himself sustained a leg injury.
By 4:29 a.m., the helicopters were back over open water, delivering their captives to the U.S. warship USS Iwo Jima. No American troops were killed, though two soldiers remain hospitalized in Texas and five others were treated and released.
President Donald Trump hailed the raid as “perfectly executed,” grouping it with past military successes in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela. But experts warn this confidence masks deeper risks. Seth G. Jones of CSIS cautioned that even flawless planning cannot eliminate uncertainty: one failure could have altered global politics overnight.
Now, Venezuela faces a fragile transition. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a week of national mourning, while Washington signals it may act again if challenged. The operation proved U.S. military dominance—but also highlighted a hard truth: force delivers speed, not stability.
The real test begins now—whether power can secure peace without creating the next crisis.
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