CIA Cyber Operations Enable Capture of Nicolás Maduro

On January 3, 2026, U.S. Special Forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, aided by the CIA's Cyber Mission Center, which built a 'flawless intelligence picture' in just four minutes. CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis confirmed that cyber operations were integral to the success of Operation Absolute Resolve. The operation involved over 150 aircraft and was supported by multiple U.S. intelligence agencies, including the NSA and NGA, which monitored communications and provided geolocation support. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are facing narco-terrorism charges in New York. The operation highlights the evolving role of cyber intelligence in military operations, raising questions about legal frameworks governing such actions in foreign territories.

Key Points: • CIA's Cyber Mission Center enabled the rapid capture of Nicolás Maduro. • Operation Absolute Resolve involved over 150 aircraft and multiple U.S. intelligence agencies. • The operation underscores the integration of cyber operations in kinetic military actions.