200 U.S. troops involved in Maduro arrest operation, Pentagon says
About 200 U.S. troops took part in the operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with airstrikes disabling defenses before special forces moved in.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said approximately 200 American troops participated in the operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking to the media on Monday, January 5, Hegseth stated that Maduro was unaware of the operation until three minutes before his capture.
He added that U.S. fighter jets and bombers targeted Venezuelan air defense systems to clear the way for Delta Force troops, who faced heavy fire during the raid. U.S. officials described the operation as successful, emphasizing that no American forces were injured during the mission.
Meanwhile, Cuba reported that around 30 of its soldiers, responsible for Maduro’s security, were killed during the operation, while Venezuelan authorities said at least 40 people, including civilians, died.
The operation comes amid mounting tensions in Latin America, with the United States intensifying pressure on Maduro’s government over allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, and ties with anti-U.S. groups.
Analysts say U.S. special operations missions of this scale are rare in the region and signal a significant escalation in American intervention policies, raising concerns about potential diplomatic fallout.
The raid has sparked international debate, with human rights groups questioning civilian casualties and the legality of unilateral operations on foreign soil.
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