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Top officials from the White House went to Capitol Hill to defend one of the boldest armed interventions in recent US history: the forcible capture of a sitting head of state from his own capital.

Operation Particulars Revealed to Senators

Key cabinet members, the attorney general, the intelligence chief, and the top military officer informed all 100 U.S. senators on the mission, the swift strike that removed the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his Caracas residence and transported him to a New York City jail cell.

This session marked the first time the full Senate heard details of the early January operation, which involved elite American troops swooping into Venezuela before dawn to capture 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, creating opportunities for companies to enter 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

Beyond the oil, the operation has split Washington along predictable lines. Republicans have rallied behind the characterization of the raid as a simple arrest operation targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Democrats warn of an unlawful military aggression that could destabilize the South American nation and establish a troubling new norm for executive power.

“What we did is we took out an leader without a proper mandate,” one Republican senator said. “He was never properly voted into office, so there can’t be a change in government if he should have never been in power to begin with.”

Sequence of Events and Court Case

In the pre-dawn operation, elite troops struck multiple targets across northern Venezuela, captured Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a U.S. Navy ship, airlifted them to a stateside base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court pleading not guilty to charges including “drug terrorism” conspiracy.

Opposition Doubts 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 taking the nation's petroleum resources at gunpoint for an undefined period as a bargaining chip to micromanage the country.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s stability.

This criticism reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a majority of Americans believe the operation should have required legislative authorization. Separate surveys found about 75% express worry the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall public opinion echoes the partisan split 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 troop levels, financial cost, and what limits are in place.”

Uncertain Future and International Condemnation

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

“The reality is the entire Maduro apparatus is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capability of our military... but there is little clarity about what comes next.”

Global criticism has been rapid. Numerous nations have denounced the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s immediate release, while the U.S. justified the move as a precise police action.

Wider Security Concerns

Republican lawmakers are also narrowing their sights toward Greenland, citing defense concerns.

“China and Russia are operating off the coast 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, indicating 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 action to promote our national goals, and that is on full display.”