The Daily Inside the U.S. Operation to Oust Venezuela’s President
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Jan 4, 2026 
Eric Schmitt, a national security correspondent for The New York Times, delves into the audacious U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He details the meticulous planning behind 'Operation Absolute Resolve,' including CIA spies embedded within Maduro’s circle. Schmitt explains the tactical strikes on oil tankers and drug trafficking boats aimed at crippling Venezuela's economy. The discussion also covers the potential consequences for U.S.-Venezuela relations and the complexities of nation-building in a politically fraught environment.
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Most Audacious U.S. Action In Decades
- The U.S. seizure of Maduro was one of the most audacious uses of American military power in a generation.
- Eric Schmitt compares it to the 1989 Panama operation against Manuel Noriega to show its historic scale.
CIA Spies And An Informant Wire Maduro
- The CIA infiltrated a clandestine team into Venezuela and placed an insider close to Maduro to track his daily routines.
- This human intelligence let U.S. forces know Maduro's location almost constantly, enabling the raid.
Maritime Strikes Paired With Oil Pressure
- The campaign combined maritime strikes on suspected drug shipments with economic pressure on oil exports.
- Schmitt explains the dual squeeze aimed to choke Maduro's income while preparing a possible ground operation.