🔗 Share this article Democrats Decry Raid on Venezuela as GOP Backs the President Following Closed-Door Session. Top officials from the White House went to Capitol Hill to defend one of the boldest military operations in modern American memory: the forcible capture of a sitting head of state from his home city. Details of the Raid Disclosed to Senators The secretaries of state and defense, the nation's top lawyer, the CIA director, and the chair of the joint chiefs 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 brought him to a New York City jail cell. This session marked the first time the full Senate heard particulars of the 3 January attack, which involved elite American troops entering Venezuela before dawn to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. A Plan Centered on Oil Officials described a threefold process for Venezuela that was centered on oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, finding access for companies to operate in 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.” Partisan Split Erupts in Washington Apart from petroleum, the operation has split Washington along expected partisan divides. Republicans have rallied behind the characterization of the raid as a simple arrest operation targeting an accused narcotics kingpin. Opposition party members warn of an unlawful military aggression 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 duly elected, so there can’t be regime change if he should have never been put in place to begin with.” Operational Timeline and Court Case In the early morning hours, special operations forces hit several locations across the country's north, apprehended Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a naval vessel, airlifted them to a stateside base, and then turned them over to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court entering a denial to charges including “drug terrorism” conspiracy. Opposition Doubts and Citizen Concern 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 a bargaining chip to control the nation's affairs.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s future stability. This criticism reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation ought to have needed congressional approval. Separate surveys found roughly three-quarters express worry the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall sentiment mirrors the political division 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 limits are in place.” Unclear Path Ahead and Global Criticism The question of what happens next in Venezuela remains unclear. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “run” the country for an unspecified period. “The reality is the entire Maduro apparatus is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in great admiration of the capacity of our military... but there is no answer about what comes next.” International condemnation 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 defense concerns. “China and Russia are conducting activities near Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a significant strategic stake 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 plans to ease pressure. “Our military is prepared to continue this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of deeds to advance our interests, and that is on clear view.”