‘Feels like an illusion’: how Trump seizing Maduro has changed little in Venezuela

In the early hours of January 3, a sudden and intense military operation unfolded in Catia La Mar, a coastal town near Caracas, as U.S. forces launched a rapid incursion aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The assault, ordered by then-President Donald Trump and dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, involved air-to-surface missile strikes on defense installations and a helicopter-borne Delta Force raid targeting Maduro’s regime. The attack caused significant damage to the Urbanización Rómulo Gallegos housing estate, leaving residents traumatized and some dead, though Maduro ultimately remained in power. Residents of Catia La Mar described the chaos and confusion during the assault, with shattered windows, collapsing buildings, and gunfire creating a terrifying environment. Many struggled to comprehend why their community had become a battleground, especially as the violence appeared to be directed at government targets rather than civilians. The raid’s swift failure and Maduro’s survival left the Venezuelan political landscape largely unchanged, despite the dramatic nature of the U.S. intervention. The operation’s aftermath has been marked by a mix of disbelief and resignation among Venezuelans. While some hoped the bold move would catalyze political change, for many it has felt like an illusion, with the entrenched Maduro government continuing its control. The event highlighted the complexities of foreign intervention in Venezuela’s ongoing crisis, underscoring the challenges faced by opposition forces and the limits of external military action in altering the country’s trajectory. More than four months later, the impact of the raid remains a source of reflection and uncertainty for those caught in the crossfire. The incident has deepened fears and exposed the vulnerability of ordinary citizens amid geopolitical struggles, while the broader conflict initiated during Hugo Chávez’s presidency persists with little sign of resolution.