The Aircraft Behind the U.S. Raid on Venezuela

Surprise attack involves fighters, bombers, utility helicopters, and uncrewed drones.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, January 06, 2026 at 04:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

F-22 Raptor [Credit: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. conducted a large-scale military operation, "Operation Absolute Resolve," in Venezuela involving over 150 aircraft, targeting communications infrastructure and military sites.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were arrested in Caracas during the mission and subsequently transported out of the country.
The highly complex operation featured advanced U.S. aerial systems, including F-22s, F-35s, and B-1 bombers, with reports of potentially novel deployments like the RQ-170 Sentinel and kamikaze drones.
Multiple U.S. military branches and intelligence agencies collaborated, using electronic warfare and cyber capabilities to disrupt Venezuelan communications and power during the attack.

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More than 150 aircraft took part in the U.S. attack on Venezuela on Saturday, including some reportedly deployed for the first time or in novel situations.

The mission, code-named Operation Absolute Resolve, saw fighters and bombers strike communications infrastructure and military sites while Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were arrested at their compound in Caracas. The two were taken on board the USS Iwo Jima before being flown to New York.