Something extraordinary unfolded in the dead of night, yet almost no one knew it was happening.
Rumors of explosions, aircraft overhead, and sudden disappearances rippled through Caracas hours before any official word emerged from Washington.
Behind the headlines, meticulous planning was underway, decisions were being made in secure rooms, and a vice president more known for his political profile than military experience quietly took the lead on one of the boldest operations in modern U.S. history.
New details have surfaced about Vice President JD Vance’s discreet but pivotal role in the U.S. mission that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a move that sent shockwaves across Latin America and the world.
In the early hours of January 3, U.S. forces launched a large-scale, tightly coordinated strike in Caracas. Explosions rocked key military and security sites as elite American special operations teams and aircraft struck targets linked to Maduro’s government. The mission concluded with Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, taken into custody and transported to the United States.
Authorities confirmed the couple will face federal charges, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, in the Southern District of New York. Analysts have described the operation as extraordinary—a rare modern instance of a sitting head of state being apprehended abroad to face criminal prosecution.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation hours later, flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
Trump framed the mission as decisive action against a “narco-state,” and stated that the United States would temporarily oversee a “safe, orderly transition of power” in Venezuela. When asked if troops would remain long-term, he left the question open, intensifying international debate and concern.
Notably, Vice President Vance was absent from the press briefing. According to a Fox News spokesperson, his absence was intentional, meant to maintain operational security.
Yet Vance played a central role in both planning and real-time monitoring of the mission. Prior to the operation, he met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago to finalize strategy. Throughout the night, he tracked progress via secure video links before returning to Cincinnati once the mission concluded. Reports indicate that, for security reasons, Trump and Vance are limiting informal meetings outside official White House engagements.
Afterward, Vance took to X to defend the mission, addressing critics who questioned its legality. “Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says,” he wrote. He added, “PSA for everyone claiming this was ‘illegal’: Maduro has multiple U.S. indictments for narco-terrorism. Living in a palace in Caracas doesn’t exempt you from justice for drug trafficking in America.”
Conclusion:
The operation stunned the world and highlighted the growing influence of figures like JD Vance in shaping U.S. foreign policy. Beyond immediate geopolitical shockwaves, it has sparked debates over legality, sovereignty, and the evolving role of American power abroad.
As Venezuela faces the absence of its longtime leader, global attention will remain fixed not only on the country’s future but also on the leaders orchestrating events from behind the scenes.