'Operation Absolute Resolve'
White House Drops Hilarious Reel About Maduro's Capture | WATCH
As Nick Matau commented, a millenial is probably running the White House's social media campaigns, and we are so here for it.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that U.S. forces had swooped into Venezuela like a caffeinated eagle, capturing longtime leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a daring overnight raid. Dubbed "Operation Absolute Resolve", the mission involved 150 aircraft, elite Delta Force commandos, and enough fireworks to make the Fourth of July jealous.
While most of us were nursing New Year's hangovers on January 3, 2026, American helicopters buzzed Maduro's fortified hideout in Caracas at the ungodly hour of 1:01 a.m. ET. Special Forces rappelled down, nabbed the couple, and whisked them away faster than you can say "adios, amigo."
Trump, ever the showman, broke the news from his Mar-a-Lago lair with a Truth Social post that read like a victory lap: "The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country." He followed up with a press conference, declaring the U.S. would temporarily "run" Venezuela, including its oil fields, until a "safe, proper, and judicious transition" happens.
But the real hilarity hit when the White House dropped that now-viral Instagram reel. The video even includes dramatic footage of Maduro in handcuffs, shuffling into DEA headquarters in New York City, politely bidding bystanders "Goodnight" and "Happy New Year."
Maduro's been on Uncle Sam's naughty list since 2020, indicted for narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and allegedly using cocaine as a "weapon" against the U.S.
Trump ramped up the pressure post-election, slapping a $50 million bounty on his head and linking him (dubiously, per some intel) to Venezuelan gangs like Tren de Aragua flooding American streets. axios.com Maduro, for his part, shrugged off earlier ultimatums with flair, remember that viral video of him dancing carefree amid threats? Turns out, the tango ended in a tango with U.S. cuffs.
Venezuela's response? A defiant national emergency declaration from Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, with military deployments and power outages in Caracas adding to the drama. bbc.com Meanwhile, reactions poured in: Miami's Venezuelan community celebrated, nbcnews.com while critics questioned if this was legal (spoiler: Trump dodged congressional approval queries).
As Maduro chills in a NYC detention center awaiting trial, one thing's clear – in Trump's America, foreign policy comes with profanity, helicopters, and zero chill. Will Venezuela's oil become the new Florida orange juice? Only time (and more reels) will tell!