New details have come to light regarding the US special forces operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at the presidential residence in Caracas.
According to CNN reports, during the intervention of US forces, the presidential couple attempted to escape arrest by hiding inside the residential complex. Maduro and Flores tried to take shelter behind a heavy steel door, but because its frame was lower, they hit their heads, sustaining injuries.
The elite Delta Force special forces immediately neutralized them and, according to American sources, provided them with first aid after removing them from the building. Cilia Flores appeared in court on Monday with bandages on her head, while her lawyer stated that she has suffered "significant injuries" and may also have broken or severely bruised ribs, requiring a full medical examination and X-rays.
The operation to capture Maduro lasted two days and involved fierce fighting with a Cuban rapid reaction force stationed near the presidential compound. US officials confirmed that several Marines were wounded by bullets and shrapnel, but stressed that none of the injuries were life-threatening.
About 200 American troops took part in the operation. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the operation as "well-organized", stressing that it was aimed at enforcing sanctions and pursuing drug and arms trafficking charges against Maduro.
The US administration insists that the arrest of the Venezuelan president was not a regime change operation. However, after Maduro's departure, the country was led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, whom Washington considers more pragmatic and open to cooperation, especially in the oil sector.
Sources close to the US administration indicate that the decision to work with Rodríguez was based on a classified CIA analysis of the short-term consequences of Maduro's arrest and its impact on the stability of Venezuela.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed as the main point of contact with the new government. President Donald Trump has said the relationship between Rubio and Rodríguez is “very strong,” as Washington aims to use military pressure and control over sanctioned oil as leverage to reopen Venezuela to American companies and regain influence over the country’s energy infrastructure.
