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Senior leaders from the administration arrived on Capitol Hill to defend one of the most audacious military operations in recent US history: the forcible capture of a current national leader from his own capital.

Operation Particulars Disclosed to Senators

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

This briefing marked the first time the entire chamber heard details of the 3 January attack, which involved U.S. special forces entering Venezuela before dawn to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Strategy Focused on Petroleum

Officials described a threefold process for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, bringing order to the nation; 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.”

Political Divide Emerges in Washington

Beyond the oil, the operation has divided the capital along expected partisan divides. GOP lawmakers have united in support of the portrayal of the raid as a simple arrest operation targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Democrats warn of an unlawful military aggression that could plunge Venezuela into chaos and establish a troubling new norm for unilateral presidential action.

“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 regime change if he should have never been put in place to begin with.”

Sequence of Events and Legal Proceedings

In the pre-dawn operation, special operations forces hit several locations across the country's north, apprehended Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a U.S. Navy ship, airlifted them to a U.S. air 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.

Democratic Skepticism and Citizen Concern

One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing 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 undefined period 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 pushback reflects wider citizen anxiety. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation ought to have needed legislative authorization. Separate surveys found about 75% express worry the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall sentiment mirrors the partisan split 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 troop levels, financial cost, and what limits 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 indeterminate time.

“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 no answer about the future plan.”

International condemnation has been swift. Numerous nations have censured the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers called for Maduro’s immediate release, while the U.S. justified the move as a precise police action.

Broader Strategic Focus

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

“China and Russia are conducting activities near Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a very keen interest 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 advance our interests, and that is on clear view.”