Fresh details have emerged about the dramatic capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, with reports indicating he and his wife were injured during the operation. According to a new Reuters report citing US officials, the incident involved a chaotic escape attempt and a significant firefight.
Injuries During Arrest Attempt
Officials briefed US lawmakers that Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, sustained head injuries while trying to evade American forces during their arrest. The couple reportedly ran inside their compound and attempted to hide behind a heavy steel door.
The door frame was low, and both Maduro and Flores hit their heads while scrambling to escape. US Delta Force operators later apprehended them and administered first aid after extracting them from the location.
Court Appearance and Conflicting Accounts
The injuries were visible when Maduro and Flores appeared in court. Flores’s attorney informed the judge that she had sustained significant injuries during the operation and might have suffered a fracture or severe bruising to her ribs. The lawyer requested an X-ray and a full medical evaluation.
During the hearing, observers noted Flores swaying and lowering her head at intervals. Maduro appeared to struggle when sitting down and standing up. Courtroom sketches showed Flores with bandages on her head. However, officials who later briefed lawmakers described her head injury as minor.
Intense Firefight and Broader Implications
The operation was not without resistance. Some US Delta Force operators were also injured following a large firefight with a Cuban quick reaction force stationed near Maduro’s compound in Caracas. The American injuries, caused by bullets and shrapnel, were non-life-threatening, with all personnel expected to recover fully.
Nearly 200 US personnel were involved in the ground operation. While US officials did not have a clear estimate of Venezuelan or Cuban casualties, Cuba’s government stated that 32 of its military and police officers died. US officials suggested the number could be higher, describing the confrontation as an intense and sustained gun battle.
Officials stressed that Maduro’s capture was not intended as a regime change operation. Venezuela’s government remains largely intact and is now led by his deputy, Delcy Rodriguez. US officials described Rodriguez as more pragmatic and someone they believe they can work with, noting that opposition figures would likely be unable to control the country’s security forces.
The US approach was informed by a classified intelligence assessment examining the implications of Maduro's removal. US officials have been in contact with Delcy Rodriguez and her brother for several months, describing the communications as efforts to influence behaviour rather than to orchestrate Maduro’s removal.
As Venezuela’s oil minister, Rodriguez is expected by US officials to cooperate on rebuilding the country’s oil infrastructure, potentially allowing American companies to operate there in the future. However, officials clarified there is no formal agreement, only an expectation that continued US pressure, including a strong naval presence in the Caribbean, will influence future decisions.
