What was the code name of the US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Maduro in January 2026?

On January 3, 2026, the United States conducted a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This significant event, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, was the culmination of a prolonged period of escalating tensions and pressure from the U.S. against the Maduro government. The operation involved large-scale strikes across northern Venezuela, including the capital Caracas, to neutralize air defenses, while an apprehension force targeted Maduro's compound. Maduro and Flores were subsequently transported to New York City to face charges related to narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and other offenses.

The justification for Operation Absolute Resolve, as stated by the U.S. administration, centered on accusations that Maduro led a corrupt government involved in drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, which allegedly funneled thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States. This intervention followed months of a U.S. military buildup in the region, including a maritime blockade of sanctioned oil tankers and earlier strikes on land targets in Venezuela. While the U.S. framed the operation as a law enforcement action with military support, some critics and international observers, including several U.S. allies, condemned it as a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.

The capture of Maduro sparked varied reactions globally. Many Venezuelans reportedly celebrated his removal, while countries like Russia, Cuba, and even some U.S. allies voiced strong criticism at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting, characterizing the operation as an act of aggression. The long-term implications for Venezuela remain uncertain, with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as interim president and ongoing questions about the country's political future and vast oil reserves. The operation underscored the complex and often contentious relationship between the United States and Venezuela, with the U.S. asserting its right to act against perceived threats to its national security and interests.