US story behind Maduro's arrest — and the doubts surrounding it

ALBAWABA — The US has given a full report on the operation that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. It includes information about intelligence work that lasted for months and ended in a quick military raid near Caracas. The news led to strong criticism from the Venezuelan government and responses from countries around the world.

As tensions between the US and Venezuela rose, US officials say that intelligence agencies began closely watching Maduro in August, tracking his moves, his bodyguards, and the many places he lived. The goal of the monitoring phase was to map out daily activities and find weak spots that would make it possible to quickly get the target out.

The planning took a long time and included thorough simulations and practice sessions. Reports say that U.S. forces built exact copies of places connected to Maduro so they would be ready for anything that might happen. Even though the operation was ready by early December, leaders decided to wait to carry it out until the weather and conditions were right.

On Friday morning, very early, the green light was given. U.S. planes, such as drones, helicopters, fighter jets, and reconnaissance planes, were fired from a number of land and sea bases. While the fighter planes protected the area, cyber and satellite tools were used to mess up Venezuela's radar and air-defense systems.

Later, explosions were reported all over Caracas, which at first made people afraid of a widespread bombing campaign. Later, U.S. sources said the attacks were limited and meant to take out air defenses to make sure helicopters could get through safely. Helicopters arrived in the area where Maduro was staying just minutes later.

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, said he watched the operation as it was happening and called it quick and accurate. He said that Maduro and his wife gave up without a fight and that no one from the US was killed. The couple was then sent offshore and put into U.S. custody.

Later on, Washington put out a picture of Maduro in transport, showing him tied up. The United States says the case is connected to long-standing charges of drug trade and terrorism-related crimes. But Caracas didn't agree with the U.S. story. They said that Washington was disrespecting Venezuela's right to govern itself and attacking both civilian and military assets.

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