Overview
- U.S. officials say Delta Force captured Nicolás Maduro in a two‑hour overnight assault and flew him and his wife out of Venezuela by 04:20, with several U.S. troops wounded but no fatalities reported.
- Washington’s months‑long plan, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, included intensive surveillance and rehearsals on a replica of Maduro’s residence; President Donald Trump authorized the mission days earlier and viewed a live feed from Mar‑a‑Lago.
- Cuba announced 32 of its military and intelligence personnel were killed during the operation and declared two days of national mourning, escalating regional diplomatic tensions.
- Witness accounts and U.S. statements describe air, land and sea assets, multiple explosions over Caracas and armed resistance from Maduro’s guards, with Trump asserting the city’s power was cut before the assault.
- In Mongolia, traffic cameras began issuing “Shalgaj baina” (Under review) notices on Jan 1, and officials emphasized that authorized officers validate each AI detection and said they have found no verified cases of wrongful fines.