U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 3 the successful capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, following a dramatic raid code-named "Operation Absolute Resolve." The operation deployed 15,000 troops, one aircraft carrier, 11 warships, and dozens of F-35 fighter jets. But the real linchpin was a CIA informant who had been embedded inside Maduro's inner circle for six months.
Replica Safe House, Detailed Intel
According to CNN and Reuters, planning began as early as mid-December 2024, with groundwork laid even before a September 2024 U.S. military strike on Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessels. In August 2025, the CIA secretly inserted a team into Venezuela tasked solely with tracking Maduro's daily movements. The intelligence was breathtakingly precise: the team knew the locations of his safe houses, travel routes, his eating habits, clothing preferences, and even his pets. To ensure success, the CIA built a full-scale replica of Maduro's primary safe house, allowing Delta Force operators to rehearse breaching its heavily fortified doors again and again.
The Mole: Tracking 50 Location Changes
Without the mole, U.S. forces could never have pinpointed Maduro. The Venezuelan leader maintained multiple safe houses, constantly changed his schedule, and was surrounded by loyal guards. But the informant transmitted his exact location continuously, from days before the raid right up to the final moments. The reward: $50 million (approximately 1.6 billion New Taiwan dollars), a bounty the U.S. government had long offered. For Washington, the payout was considered a bargain.
Trump Greenlit, Weather Delayed Strike
Trump approved the mission four days before execution, but the military and intelligence community recommended waiting for clearer skies. At 10:46 p.m. Eastern Time on July 2, Trump gave the final go-ahead. Early on July 3, U.S. aircraft struck targets in Caracas and nearby air-defense systems. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley (凯恩 in the source) reported that at around 1 a.m., troops came under fire as they approached Maduro's safe house; one helicopter was hit but remained flyable. Trump later described: "They broke through doors designed to prevent exactly that—steel doors meant to stop intruders—and subdued them in seconds." Maduro and his wife surrendered without further resistance.
Trump Claims 'Takeover,' Maduro to Face U.S. Charges
After capturing the couple, Trump immediately declared he would "take over" Venezuela until a safe, orderly, and responsible transition can occur. Maduro will be extradited to the United States to face charges including drug trafficking, corruption, and human-rights abuses. In the short term, Venezuela falls under American control, with the U.S. leading reconstruction.
Geopolitical Shifts: Oil, China, and the Future
Venezuela sits atop the world's largest oil reserves, but under Maduro the economy collapsed into hyperinflation and humanitarian crisis, driving millions to flee. His regime had long defied Washington and cultivated close ties with Russia and China. With Maduro's removal, the biggest U.S. adversary in Latin America is gone, and stable oil supply is a boon for controlling inflation. The operation underscores a modern intelligence lesson: the value of an inside mole far exceeds any weapon. $50 million effectively neutralized China's influence in South America, making it a highly cost-effective move for the U.S.