How Maduro’s capture went down – a military strategist explains what goes into a successful special op

By: R. Evan Ellis, The Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 4, 2026

Words: 1,416

Last Updated: 4 days, 23 hours ago

Body Text Preview

By R. Evan Ellis, The Center for Strategic and International Studies

The predawn seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, 2026 was a complicated affair. It was also, operationally, a resounding success for the U.S. military.

Operation Absolute Resolve achieved its objective of seizing Maduro through a mix of extensive planning, intelligence and timing. R. Evan Ellis, a military strategist and former Latin America policy adviser to the U.S. State Department, …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.
Register for Free Log in