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Top officials from the White House 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 Lawmakers

The secretaries of state and defense, the nation's top lawyer, the intelligence chief, and the top military officer informed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the swift strike that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and transported him to a New York City jail cell.

This session marked the first time the entire chamber heard details of the 3 January attack, which involved U.S. special forces swooping into Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

A Plan Centered on Oil

Officials described a three-phase plan for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, finding access for companies to enter the Venezuelan market; and a final phase described as “a transitional period.”

“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 expected partisan divides. Republicans have rallied behind the characterization of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an accused narcotics kingpin. Democrats warn of an illegal act of war that could plunge Venezuela into chaos and set a dangerous precedent for unilateral presidential action.

“What we did is we took out an leader without a proper mandate,” one Republican senator said. “He was never duly elected, 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 early morning hours, elite troops struck multiple targets across the country's north, apprehended Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a naval vessel, airlifted them to a stateside base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro appeared before a judge pleading not guilty to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.

Democratic Skepticism and Public Unease

One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing incredulous, stating the administration is “going to take the oil by force.”

“This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about stealing Venezuelan oil at gunpoint for an unspecified time as leverage to control the nation's affairs.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.

This pushback reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a majority of Americans believe the operation should have required legislative authorization. Separate surveys found roughly three-quarters express worry the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall sentiment echoes the partisan split 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 how long this is going to last. We need answers on military presence, funding, and what guardrails are in place.”

Unclear Path Ahead and International Condemnation

The question of what happens next in Venezuela remains unclear. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “manage” the country for an unspecified period.

“The reality is the entire previous government structure is still intact,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in great admiration of the capability of our military... but there is no answer about the future plan.”

Global criticism has been swift. Numerous nations have censured the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s immediate release, while the U.S. defended the action as a precise police action.

Broader Strategic Focus

Republican lawmakers are also turning their attention toward Greenland, citing national security concerns.

“China and Russia are operating off the coast 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 seized Venezuela-linked oil tankers, signaling it has no intention to ease pressure.

“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 clear view.”