The U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, culminating in the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro in the early hours of January 3, 2026, marks a dramatic escalation in relations between Washington and Caracas, unseen in decades. This detailed account traces the steps leading to the so-called "Operation Absolute Resolution," from increasing economic sanctions to Maduro's transfer to a federal prison in Brooklyn, primarily based on extensive coverage by CiberCuba.
Initial Pressure in January 2025
On January 10, 2025, the United States raised its bounty for information leading to Nicolás Maduro's capture from $15 million to $25 million following his swearing-in at the chavismo-led National Assembly for the 2025-2031 presidential term. This was part of a package of fresh sanctions imposed by President Joe Biden's administration.
Alongside the bounty on Maduro, a $25 million reward was offered for Diosdado Cabello, the Interior Minister, and $15 million for Vladimir Padrino López, the Defense Minister. The U.S. Treasury Department also imposed economic sanctions on eight senior Venezuelan officials, including PDVSA president Héctor Obregón Pérez and Transport Minister Ramón Celestino Velásquez.
Terrorist Designations in February 2025
On February 19, 2025, the U.S. government officially designated the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, along with six Mexican drug cartels and the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). This designation followed an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office.
The designated Mexican cartels included Sinaloa, Jalisco New Generation (CJNG), Gulf, Northeast, the New Michoacan Family, and United Cartels. Trump's order warned that these organizations posed an "unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the U.S."
Numerous members of the Tren de Aragua were arrested during immigration control operations in the U.S. and deported to Guantanamo Naval Base.
Secondary Tariffs in March 2025
On March 24, 2025, President Trump announced via Truth Social a 25% tariff on countries purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela. Trump justified this by accusing Maduro of deliberately sending tens of thousands of criminals, including Tren de Aragua members, to the U.S.
"Any nation buying oil or gas from Venezuela must pay a 25% tariff on any trade with the United States," Trump specified, with the tariff set to take effect on April 2, 2025, dubbed "America's Liberation Day."
This measure would directly affect countries like China, India, and some Latin American allies who continued buying Venezuelan crude despite U.S. sanctions.
Military and Economic Pressure Intensifies in August 2025
On August 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice and State Department announced a historic increase in the bounty for Nicolás Maduro's arrest, doubling it to $50 million. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that the U.S. government would not relent in bringing Maduro to justice, accusing him of leading a narco-terrorism conspiracy and massive cocaine trafficking that has claimed thousands of American lives.
On August 16, 2025, the U.S. military deployed over 4,000 marines and sailors in Latin American and Caribbean waters as part of an unprecedented offensive against so-called "narco-terrorist" criminal organizations. The operation, confirmed by Pentagon sources, marked a drastic shift in Washington's security strategy.
Naval Attacks Campaign from September to December 2025
On September 2, 2025, the U.S. destroyed a speedboat in the Caribbean, initiating a four-month operation. Trump claimed that 11 Tren de Aragua members from Venezuela were aboard; all perished in the attack.
The offensive escalated, with numerous attacks on vessels, resulting in 23 destroyed boats, 87 deaths, and a growing crisis in the Caribbean and Pacific, with 22 recognized operations in both theaters.
Deployment of USS Gerald Ford in October 2025
On October 24, 2025, the U.S. ordered the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group in the Caribbean. The Pentagon stated this move was in response to President Trump's directive to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and counter narcoterrorism as part of national security defense.
The arrival of the carrier group, which included additional ships and thousands of military personnel, effectively doubled the U.S. military presence in the area.
Oil Blockade and Venezuelan Attacks in December 2025
On December 10, 2025, the U.S. seized a Venezuelan crude-laden tanker off the country's coast. Trump described it as the capture of "the largest tanker ever seized" by the U.S., combining a military message, economic blow, and direct warning to the network sustaining sanctioned oil flows.
On December 16, 2025, Trump announced a "total blockade of sanctioned tankers" entering and leaving Venezuela, while designating Maduro's regime as an "international terrorist organization."
Execution of Operation Absolute Resolution in January 2026
On January 2, 2026, Trump authorized the operation, and it was executed by U.S. Delta Force with CIA support. The mission was characterized by surgical precision, quickly neutralizing Venezuelan defenses.
Following the operation, Maduro and his wife were transported to New York, facing multiple criminal charges in a federal court, including narco-terrorism and corruption.
The capture of Nicolás Maduro marks the culmination of an unprecedented year of military, economic, and diplomatic escalation in the Western Hemisphere. From the increased bounty in January 2025 to the military operation on January 3, 2026, the Trump administration applied multidimensional pressure on the Venezuelan regime. The implications of this U.S. military intervention will resonate across Latin America for years, challenging notions of national sovereignty, anti-narcotics efforts, and the use of military force in the Western Hemisphere.
FAQs on U.S. Intervention in Venezuela
What initiated the U.S. intervention in Venezuela?
The U.S. intervention in Venezuela began with increased economic sanctions and escalated to military action, culminating in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
How did the U.S. capture Nicolás Maduro?
Nicolás Maduro was captured through "Operation Absolute Resolution," a coordinated military effort involving U.S. Delta Force and the CIA, executed with precision.
What were the implications of the U.S. intervention?
The U.S. intervention set a controversial precedent in the Western Hemisphere regarding national sovereignty, narcotics control, and military force usage.