A U.S. military operation codenamed 'Absolute Resolve' resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, with 100 civilians reported dead and seven U.S. service members injured. The operation marks a major escalation in U.S. involvement in Latin America.
- 100 civilians killed in U.S. military operation in Caracas
- Nicolás Maduro and wife Clotilde García captured during 'Absolute Resolve'
- Seven U.S. troops injured, two critically, during raid
- Operation conducted under Title 10 of U.S. Code
- Bolívar fell 45% against the U.S. dollar post-operation
- S&P 500 dropped 1.2%, defense stocks rose 5–7%
The United States conducted a covert military operation in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 6, 2026, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Clotilde García. The operation, designated 'Absolute Resolve,' was executed by U.S. Special Operations Forces and involved precision raids on key government compounds in the capital. Initial reports from Venezuelan state media confirm 100 civilian fatalities during the assault, with damage reported at three high-profile facilities, including the Miraflores Palace complex. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that seven American troops sustained injuries during the operation, two of them critically, due to ambushes near the presidential residence. The Pentagon stated the mission was authorized under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, citing existential threats to regional stability and Maduro’s alleged ties to transnational drug cartels. No formal public justification was provided beyond a brief statement citing 'imminent threats to U.S. national security.' The incident has triggered immediate international condemnation. The Organization of American States convened an emergency session, with 15 member states calling for an investigation into the legality of the operation. Russia and China have denounced the action as a violation of sovereignty, with Beijing warning of potential retaliation. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan National Assembly has declared a state of emergency and mobilized reserve forces along the Colombian border. Financial markets reacted swiftly, with the Venezuelan bolívar plunging 45% against the dollar within 24 hours. The S&P 500 dropped 1.2%, while Latin American bond indices fell by an average of 3.7%. U.S. defense contractors including Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Raytheon (RTX) saw stock surges of 7% and 5.3%, respectively, reflecting anticipated defense spending increases.