"Good luck and speed from God..."/ How Maduro was captured according to the US Army Chief of Staff: 150 planes and...

2026-01-03 19:12:15Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
"Good luck and speed from God..."/ How Maduro was captured according
General Dan Caine

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, at today's press conference, provided details on the major military operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

He described the intervention as a "discreet, precise and conducted during the darkest hours of January 2nd" operation, emphasizing that it was the result of months of planning and training, an operation that, according to him, only the US military could carry out.

Caine explained that the work of several agencies had begun months ago, drawing on decades of experience in integrating complex air, land, sea and space operations.

"This mission required every component of our joint force, soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and rangers, working in unison with the intelligence community and law enforcement partners, in an unprecedented operation ," he said.

According to the general, the operation was so precise that it involved over 150 aircraft launched in close coordination from various bases in the Western Hemisphere, which came together at the right time and place to insert special forces into the center of Caracas, while maintaining the element of tactical surprise.

"The failure of just one component would jeopardize the entire mission, and failure is never an option for joint American forces," he added, underlining that the pilots over Caracas were willing to give their lives for those on the ground and in the helicopters.

General Caine indicated that the intelligence work to locate Maduro had lasted for months, analyzing his every move, where he lived, where he traveled, what he ate, what he wore, even his pets.

By early December, the forces were ready, awaiting suitable conditions.

"The key was choosing the right day to minimize the risk to civilians, maximize the element of surprise, and bring the accused to justice, " he said, recalling that the weather in Venezuela is always a factor at this time of year.

He added that during the weeks of Christmas and New Year, the men and women of the US military stood ready, patiently awaiting the president's order.

"Last night, the weather cleared up just enough, creating a corridor that only the most skilled pilots in the world could navigate, through ocean, mountains and low clouds," Caine said.

The general confirmed that at 22:46 (local time), the president gave the order to launch the operation, telling the troops: “Good luck and speed from God. ”

These words were broadcast throughout the joint forces. During the night, aircraft took off from 20 different bases on land and at sea throughout the Western Hemisphere.

In total, over 150 aircraft, including bombers, fighter jets, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, as well as helicopters, were in the air during the operation.


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