Maduro and Cilia Flores Captured and Transported to Brooklyn The United States seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from a military base and flew them to a Brooklyn detention facility, where they now face narco‑terrorism charges [1][2][3]. The raid involved roughly 150 aircraft from 20 bases, Delta Force rehearsals, and a CIA asset embedded in Maduro’s circle, yet reported no American fatalities and only minor equipment damage [2]. Venezuelan forces opened fire during the extraction, hitting a helicopter that continued operating, underscoring the mission’s kinetic intensity [2].

Trump Presents Raid as Historic Display of Power President Trump delivered a national address calling the operation “one of the most stunning displays of American military might,” likening it to the hunt for Osama bin Laden [2]. Images released from a Mar‑a‑Lago war room showed Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio monitoring the mission in real time, with an OSINT screen tracking public reaction on X [3]. The administration labeled the effort “Operation Absolute Resolve,” emphasizing swift, decisive action and framing it as a demonstration of U.S. dominance [3].

Republican Base Reacts with Conditional Praise Interviews across several states reveal that most Trump supporters praised the raid’s efficiency and Trump’s willingness to act, describing it in cinematic terms [1]. However, many expressed caution, stressing that continued backing hinges on the absence of a prolonged U.S. military presence and on tangible benefits such as reduced drug trafficking and migration [1]. Voters, especially younger and working‑class members, warned that a drawn‑out occupation could erode their support, highlighting a tension between admiration for decisive raids and aversion to extended conflicts [1].

International Community Divided Over Legality and Regional Impact Global leaders offered mixed reactions: some lauded the removal of Maduro as a bold step toward stability, while others condemned the operation’s legality and warned of destabilizing effects in South America [3]. In Caracas, Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president, signaling an immediate political shift following the capture [3]. The divergent diplomatic responses underscore the operation’s potential to reshape regional dynamics and provoke debate over U.S. interventionist policy [3].