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Top officials from the administration went to Capitol Hill to defend one of the most audacious armed interventions in modern American memory: the forcible capture of a sitting head of state from his own capital.

Details of the Raid Disclosed to Lawmakers

The secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general, the intelligence chief, and the chair of the joint chiefs briefed all 100 U.S. senators on the mission, the lightning raid that removed the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his Caracas residence and transported him to a New York City jail cell.

This briefing marked the first time the full Senate heard details of the 3 January attack, which involved U.S. special forces entering Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

A Plan Centered on Oil

Officials described a three-phase plan for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, finding access 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.”

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 unilateral presidential action.

“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 a change in government if he should have never been in power to begin with.”

Operational Timeline and Court Case

In the pre-dawn operation, elite troops hit several locations across northern Venezuela, captured Maduro and Flores, transported them to a naval vessel, airlifted them to a U.S. air base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court pleading not guilty to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.

Democratic Skepticism and Public Unease

One Democratic senator emerged from the closed-door session disbelieving, stating the administration is “going to take the oil through military might.”

“This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about stealing Venezuelan oil under threat of force for an unspecified time as a bargaining chip to control the nation's affairs.” The senator added that they “heard no comprehensive strategy” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.

This criticism reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public 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 mirrors 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 the duration of this engagement. We need answers on military presence, financial cost, and what guardrails are in place.”

Unclear Path Ahead and Global Criticism

The question of the next steps in Venezuela remains murky. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “manage” the country for an unspecified period.

“The reality is the entire Maduro apparatus is still intact,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capability 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 prompt freedom, 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 seized Venezuela-linked oil tankers, signaling it has no intention to reduce its stance.

“Our military is ready to persist in this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of deeds to advance our interests, and that is on clear view.”