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What US attack says about Venezuela's military strength

Aaron Tilton
January 8, 2026

US forces encountered little resistance from Venezuela's military when they captured Nicolas Maduro, the country's leader, in a surprise nighttime raid. The attack has exposed the massive power discrepancy between the two countries.

https://p.dw.com/p/56UZ5

The US raid on Caracas captured Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, and signaled zero tolerance for resistance. Dozens of strikes killed at least 80, officials have said, with no US casualties.

Despite Venezuela's large force on paper, experts cite outdated Russian gear and economic strain. The US, though smaller in numbers, fields advanced assets like the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and F-35s stealth fighter jets.

The White House has accuses Venezuela's military of aiding drug trafficking, a claim Maduro's regime has denied.

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