At least 24 Venezuelan security officers killed in US operation to capture Maduro, officials say
The Associated Press1 day
Venezuela to Investigate Killings During Maduro Capture
Was the U.S. operation to capture Maduro a brilliant military success, or a devastating attack on innocent Venezuelan civilians?
Above: Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek William Saab speaks at a press conference in Caracas on Jan. 6, 2026. Image credit: Jesus Vargas/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Put aside whether you agree or not with the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, it's a matter of fact that the operation to arrest Maduro was a brilliant military operation, refined through 20 years of CIA and Joint Special Operations Command coordination. Delta Force executed a remarkable extraction with zero American casualties — demonstrating exceptional intelligence and operational precision that will be written into special operations history.
Establishment-critical narrative
Innocent civilians and security officials in Venezuela endured terror as U.S. forces violated international law and the U.N. charter in their attack on the country to kidnap its constitutional president, targeting even residential complexes. This operation will go down in history as a war crime — and the fallen Cuban and Venezuelan officers will be remembered as heroes.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 41% chance that the U.S. will invade Venezuela before Jan. 20, 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Public Figures
Go Deeper
Establishment split
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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0