Significant developments unfolded this week as U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced the successful capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This operation, named Operation Absolute Resolve, took place in the capital of Caracas and involved extensive planning and coordination among U.S. military branches.
Operation Absolute Resolve
Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, explained that the mission required the collaboration of special operations forces and used aircraft from 20 different bases across the Western Hemisphere. Over 150 aircraft participated, emphasizing the mission’s scale and sophistication.
- Mission Name: Operation Absolute Resolve
- Location: Caracas, Venezuela
- Total Aircraft Involved: 150
- Age Range of Crew: 20 to 49 years
- Outcome: No casualties; all aircraft returned safely
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson confirmed that there were no military casualties during the operation, highlighting the planning and execution involved in accomplishing such a complex mission.
Seizure of Sanctioned Vessels
In a parallel effort, the U.S. War Department targeted vessels operating in violation of sanctions. Two oil tankers were seized to uphold regional security. The first tanker, M Sophia, fell under scrutiny as a “stateless, sanctioned dark fleet motor tanker” involved in illicit activities in the Caribbean sea.
The second vessel, Bella 1, was also intercepted in the North Atlantic based on a U.S. federal court warrant. This concerted approach reflects the United States’ commitment to undermining illegal activity in the Western Hemisphere.
Key Statistics
- First Vessel: M Sophia
- Activity: Illicit operations in Caribbean
- Second Vessel: Bella 1
- Legal Basis: Warrant from U.S. Federal Court
Arsenal of Freedom Tour
Concurrently, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth embarked on the “Arsenal of Freedom” tour to promote America’s manufacturing and workforce revitalization. This multi-stop campaign aims to highlight the War Department’s priorities in rebuilding the military and engaging with the nation’s defense industrial base.
Hegseth visited a shipyard in Newport News, Virginia, where he emphasized the need for revitalizing America’s industrial strength. On January 5, he addressed a crowd, stating that the tour would emphasize creating a “golden age of peace through strength.”
- Tour Focus: American manufacturing and workforce
- Location: Newport News, Virginia
- Objective: Rebuild military and defense capability
During his travels, Hegseth also administered oaths of enlistment to 70 recruits, underscoring the Department’s focus on fostering military service. He reminded attendees of the small percentage of Americans who actively serve and the profound commitment those service members embody.
Summary
This week marked a pivotal moment for U.S. initiatives in the Western Hemisphere. From the capture of a controversial leader to the seizure of vessels breaching sanctions and a nationwide tour advocating for military revitalization, these events illustrate a concerted effort to reaffirm U.S. influence and security.
