U.S. Forces attack Caracas; Maduro and wife enroute to New York

U.S. military forces met minimal opposition in an attack on Venezuela last night — named Operation Absolute Resolve. Details in The Washington Post are light, but forces retrieved President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transported them by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima. The pair is expected in New York. ¹

The helicopters “were supported by F-22, F-35 and F/A-18 fighter jets; E/A-18 jets that specialize in jamming; B-1 supersonic bombers; and E-2 Hawkeyes that specialize in early warning of missile launches.” ²

Mr. Trump stated that U.S. oil companies will take control of Venezuela’s oil industry, and admitted that oil was one factor in the operation. ³

Congress is furious that the operation was conducted without consultation, much less approval. The temperature on Capitol Hill in recent weeks has been skyrocketing, and some independent media reports suggest numerous GOP lawmakers intend to resign before the midterms. ⁴, ⁵

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1. Trump says U.S. will ‘run’ Venezuela, won’t rule out U.S. boots on the ground. (2026, January 3). The Washington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2026, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/03/us-venezuela-strikes-trump-maduro/
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2. Ibid.
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3. Ibid.
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4. The Senate Armed Services committee was not even informed prior to our military carrying out this illegal attack. (2026, January 3). Democrats Organizing for America. Retrieved January 3, 2026, from https://democratsofa.bsky.social
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5. Sherman, J. (2026, January 2). A few other GOP members messaged us over the weekend saying that they, too, are considering retiring in the middle of the term.  Here’s one particularly exercised senior House Republican:  “This entire White House team has treated ALL members like garbage. ALL. And Mike Johnson has let it happen because he wanted it to happen. That is the sentiment of nearly all — appropriators, authorizers, hawks, doves, rank and file. The arrogance of this White House team is off putting to members who are run roughshod and threatened. They don’t even allow little wins like announcing small grants or even responding from agencies. Not even the high profile, the regular rank and file random members are more upset than ever. Members know they are going into the minority after the midterms.  “More explosive early resignations are coming. It’s a tinder box. Morale has never been lower. Mike Johnson will be stripped of his gavel and they will lose the majority before this term is out.” X. Retrieved January 3, 2026, from https://x.com/JakeSherman/status/1992972604521562595
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