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Senior leaders from the administration arrived on Capitol Hill to defend one of the most audacious armed interventions in recent US history: the seizure of a sitting head of state from his own capital.

Operation Particulars Disclosed to Lawmakers

The secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general, the intelligence chief, and the top military officer briefed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the swift strike that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his Caracas residence and brought him to a detention facility in New York.

This session marked the initial instance the entire chamber heard particulars of the early January operation, which involved U.S. special forces swooping into Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Strategy Focused on Petroleum

Officials described a three-phase plan for Venezuela that was centered on oil: first, bringing order to the nation; next, creating opportunities for companies to operate in the Venezuelan market; and a final phase described as “one of transition.”

“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 Emerges in Washington

Apart from petroleum, the operation has split Washington along predictable lines. Republicans have united in support of the portrayal of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an indicted drug trafficker. 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 illegitimate president,” one Republican senator said. “He was never properly voted into office, so there can’t be regime change if he should have never been put in place to begin with.”

Sequence of Events and Court Case

In the early morning hours, elite troops hit several locations across the country's north, captured Maduro and Flores, transported them to a naval vessel, flew them to a U.S. air base, and then turned them over to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro appeared before a judge entering a denial 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 through military might.”

“This is an reckless scheme,” 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 majority of Americans believe the operation should have required congressional approval. Separate surveys found about 75% express worry the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall sentiment echoes the political division on Capitol Hill.

“Across America, people are just saying what is happening?” a senior Democratic leader stated. “We need answers as to how long this is going to last. We need answers on military presence, financial cost, and what limits are in place.”

Unclear Path Ahead and Global Criticism

The question of the next steps 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 in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capability of our military... but there is little clarity about the future plan.”

International condemnation has been swift. Numerous nations have denounced the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s prompt freedom, while the U.S. defended the action as a precise police action.

Wider Security Concerns

Republican lawmakers are also narrowing their sights 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 kept a naval fleet positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently seized Venezuela-linked oil tankers, indicating it has no intention 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 full display.”