The Daily — Inside the U.S. Operation to Oust Venezuela’s President

Host: Natalie Kitroeff
Guest: Eric Schmidt, NYT National Security Correspondent
Date: January 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This special episode covers the extraordinary U.S. operation, codenamed “Absolute Resolve,” that led to the capture and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. It dissects the covert planning, the dramatic military execution, and the seismic implications for Venezuela, the United States, and the world. The episode features in-depth reporting by Eric Schmidt, with direct insights from public statements and press conferences following the event.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

A Historic Use of U.S. Power

• "We have just witnessed maybe the most audacious exercise of American power in a generation." — Natalie Kitroeff [01:45]
  • The operation is compared to the 1989 U.S. takedown of Panama’s Manuel Noriega, but is considered even more daring for its swift, special-ops execution.
  • Marks the first such forcible removal of a sitting foreign leader in 25 years.

Operation “Absolute Resolve”: From Planning to Execution

• The planning began months in advance with a focus on disrupting drug trafficking linked to Maduro ([03:07] Eric Schmidt).
  • Phase One: Targeting drug smuggling vessels.
  • Phase Two: Secretly considering a direct raid to oust Maduro.

Intelligence Gathering

• CIA inserted undercover officers into Venezuela in August to track Maduro’s “pattern of life” ([03:49] Eric Schmidt):

  • An internal informant within Maduro’s government relayed precise location data.
  • CIA enabled U.S. military to conduct stealthy drone surveillance.

• "They had Maduro wired... they felt they knew his location probably pretty much any time." — Eric Schmidt quoting a senior official [05:19]

Building Up for the Strike

• U.S. military increasingly deployed specialized aircraft capable of jamming communications and shutting down power in Caracas ([07:29] Eric Schmidt).
• Over the holidays, a window was awaited due to poor weather; the decision and go-ahead came late Friday night ([09:23]).

The Raid on Caracas

• Early morning Saturday: Multiple explosions, helicopter strikes on military bases fill Caracas with fireballs ([09:24] Eric Schmidt).
• "American special operations helicopters... helicopter strikes against major Venezuelan military bases." — Eric Schmidt [09:41]

The Press Conference & Details of the Capture

• President Trump:

  • Announces success in a 4am Truth Social post and at an 11am news conference hosted at Mar-a-Lago ([12:45], [13:06]).
  • Claims U.S. troops practiced in a model of Maduro’s house, reminiscent of the bin Laden raid ([11:56] Trump).
  • "It was dark. The lights of Caracas were largely turned off due to a certain expertise that we have." — Donald Trump [13:06]

• General Dan Kane:

  • Over 150 U.S. aircraft launched from 20 bases ([14:11]).
  • Commandos used drones to disable Caracas’ air defenses, cleared a path to the target house ([14:17]).
  • Delta Force reached the compound at 2:01am Caracas time ([14:51]).
  • Quick firefight, but Maduro and his wife surrendered without much resistance ([15:23]).
  • Total operation: 2 hours 20 minutes; Maduro and wife brought to a U.S. warship, then flown to New York ([16:11]).

The Legal Justification Debate

• The operation framed as a law enforcement mission: DOJ “asked for help” on serving an arrest warrant for drug charges ([16:41] Eric Schmidt; [17:03] General Dan Kane).
• "We're not at war with Venezuela. This is a very specific mission... one particular reason. They want to go in, grab Maduro and get out." — Eric Schmidt [17:37]

What Happens Now? U.S. Plans for Venezuela

Trump's Announced Policy

• Most Shocking Statement:

  • "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." — Donald Trump [19:15]
  • "You can almost hear a gasp in the audience." — Eric Schmidt [19:36]
  • U.S. plans to rebuild Venezuelan oil infrastructure; American oil companies will profit directly ([19:47] Trump).

• U.S. officials (Defense Secretary Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio) are designated as temporary overseers ([20:33]).

  • U.S. to work with Venezuela's new interim president, but with clear leverage and threats of renewed intervention if cooperation lapses ([21:05] Trump).

Rationale & Criticism

• Trump frames this as an "America First" move, emphasizing oil and regional stability over democracy promotion ([23:02] Eric Schmidt; [23:27] Trump).

  • “The real bottom line here is this is good for America.” — Eric Schmidt [23:02]
  • "We want to surround ourself with good neighbors... that is America first." — Donald Trump [23:27]

• Critics warn of unrealistic expectations, dangers of direct U.S. rule, and negative global implications, especially regarding Russia/China ([25:13] Eric Schmidt).

Implications for U.S. Power

• Trump now appears emboldened to use military force quickly, confidently, and for explicit U.S. benefit ([26:01] Eric Schmidt).

  • "He now feels unbridled in his use of the military, not as a last resort but ... instinctively." — Eric Schmidt [26:01]
  • Normalization of such operations blurs the traditional distinction between surgical strikes and long-term entanglement ([27:14]).

• Venezuela stands at a complex crossroads: most of Maduro’s regime remains, military still strong, and real outcomes are uncertain ([24:54]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Record-Breaking Nature of the Operation:

  • "Nothing close to this has happened in something like 25 years. It is truly historic." — Natalie Kitroeff [01:45]

• On the CIA’s Methods:

  • "They had Maduro wired." — Eric Schmidt, about U.S. surveillance superiority [05:19]

• On U.S. Motives:

  • "The real bottom line here is this is good for America. We're going to be benefiting from the oil riches of this country." — Eric Schmidt [23:02]

• On the Possible Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy:

  • "The U.S. is going to run Venezuela." — Eric Schmidt paraphrasing Trump [19:36]

• Trump Summing Up the Operation:

  • "They're the most highly trained soldiers in the world... it's talent. It's not just bravery." — Donald Trump [11:36]

• Trump on Post-Invasion Vision:

  • "We're going to rebuild the oil infrastructure... it'll be paid for by oil companies directly." — Donald Trump [19:47]

• On Risks and Normalization:

  • "Now we're starting to creep into nation building again. The very thing that he campaigned against twice now..." — Eric Schmidt [27:14]

Key Timestamps

• Main Narrative Begins: [00:36]
• Historical Context: [02:13]
• Operation Planning: [03:07]
• Intel Penetration: [03:49]
• Final Days Build-Up: [07:07]
• Night of the Attack: [09:23]
• Trump Publicly Announces: [10:53]
• Press Conference Details: [12:45]
• Delta Force Compound Raid: [14:51]
• Legal Framing of Mission: [16:41], [17:37]
• Trump Declares U.S. Rule: [19:15]
• Criticism and Global Reaction: [25:13], [26:01], [27:14]
• Conclusion and Venezuela’s Uncertain Future: [29:01]

Closing Thoughts

This episode captures a stunning, controversial moment: a U.S. military operation not only removed a foreign leader, but signaled a possible new doctrine of direct U.S. administrative control overseas, with oil interests openly named as a priority. The conversation balances the operation’s technical prowess with probing concerns about legality, precedent, and potential blowback — all in under thirty minutes.

Listeners are left with a mix of awe, apprehension, and uncertainty about what long-term consequences may unfold in Venezuela and beyond.