Washington, D.C. — A U.S. Army Chinook helicopter pilot who helped plan the nighttime mission to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was wounded in the leg during the operation, U.S. officials said, as part of the broader Operation Absolute Resolve that resulted in Maduro’s capture. The pilot was struck multiple times in the engagement near Caracas while hostile forces fired on the assault helicopters, according to officials speaking to CBS News.
Mission Details and Pilot Injury
The operation involved a formation of U.S. Army helicopters carrying Delta Force commandos into Venezuela’s capital in the pre-dawn hours of January 3, aiming to apprehend Maduro at a fortified compound. As the helicopters approached the target, Venezuelan defensive positions opened fire, prompting U.S. forces to return fire, officials said. One of the lead aircraft, a heavy MH-47 Chinook, was hit but continued its mission. The pilot, who also played a role in planning the raid, sustained multiple leg injuries but the aircraft remained airborne and completed its run.
U.S. Casualties and Pentagon Statement
Pentagon officials reported that two U.S. service members were still recovering from injuries sustained during the incursion, while five others who were wounded had already returned to duty. A Pentagon spokesperson described the mission as “extremely complex and grueling,” but credited the expertise of U.S. forces for the relatively low number of casualties.
Maduro’s Capture and Aftermath
The operation achieved its primary objective: former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into U.S. custody and transported to New York, where Maduro pleaded not guilty through an interpreter during an arraignment on federal charges. Maduro reiterated that he considers himself the legitimate president of Venezuela.
Broader Impact and Political Responses
President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. might oversee Venezuela for an extended period following Maduro’s capture, stating that “only time will tell” how long direct oversight might continue. In response, the Republican-led Senate advanced a war powers resolution aimed at limiting the president’s ability to conduct further military actions in Venezuela.
The raid has drawn global attention and debate, with some nations and international bodies questioning the legality and implications of the U.S. operation, while others focus on the strategic objectives behind capturing Maduro.
International and Legal Reactions
Maduro’s capture has spurred reactions worldwide, with calls for a Venezuelan-led transition and concerns over respect for sovereignty, while congressional actions in the U.S. reflect growing scrutiny of executive military authority.
This report synthesizes multiple news sources and verified developments in the operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro and related military engagements.
