After the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the inside story of US military action is now coming to light. America named this mission Operation Absolute-Resolve (OAR), which was carried out in a very confidential manner. This operation started on Friday night and was completed by early Saturday morning. The US Army, Delta Force, CIA, Navy and FBI worked together in this entire mission.

Operation started in the dark of night
According to local time, America started the operation around 2 am on Friday night and Saturday morning. First of all, air strikes were carried out on many Venezuelan targets, so that the country’s air defense system could be weakened. Its purpose was that Delta Force helicopters could reach Maduro without any hindrance.

Fuerte Tiuna became the center of operations
Fuerte Tiuna, a large military base in Caracas, was the main target of this operation. American intelligence agencies had received information that Nicholas Maduro was present here. After the air strikes, US Special Forces entered the area and Maduro was taken into custody from his compound.

Complete mission in 2 hours 28 minutes
According to local time, at 2:01 am, American Delta Force had reached Maduro’s hideout. After this, Maduro was taken to the beach in just 2 hours and 28 minutes. At 4:29 am, Delta Force completed the operation and left the area.

Maduro taken out of the country on USS Iwo Jima
The American warship USS Iwo Jima was already deployed about 100 miles away from the Venezuelan coast. At around 11 am in the morning, Maduro was taken out of Venezuela through this warship. Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were first taken to the Guantanamo naval base. A special Boeing 757 government plane of FBI was already ready there. Both of them were brought to New York by this plane. After landing at New York’s Stewart Airport, Maduro was taken straight to the DEA headquarters. After this, both were shifted to Brooklyn Detention Center by helicopter and then by car.

Big role of CIA, internal network ready
The role of CIA was very important in this operation. The CIA had prepared its sources within the Venezuelan government and among people close to Maduro. Through these sources, Maduro’s every activity was being monitored – where he goes, whom he meets, where he stays and where he sleeps.

Maduro’s security and routine monitored
The CIA had also completely studied Maduro’s security system. At what time, how much security is there, who are the most trusted guards and where Maduro goes in case of danger – all these things were collected. Stealth drones were also used to monitor Maduro.

CIA officers were present on the ground since August
According to American media reports, senior CIA officials were present in Venezuela since August. He was continuously working on Maduro’s daily habits and movements i.e. ‘pattern of life’. As soon as the correct location was confirmed, the operation was given the green signal.

Maduro under control in five minutes
It is being told that American Delta Force captured Maduro in just five minutes. Maduro and his wife were trying to run towards a safe house after seeing American soldiers, but they did not get a chance to escape. American media claims that Delta Force had properly rehearsed this mission a month in advance, so that there was no mistake in the operation.

Trump watched the operation live from Florida
When this entire operation was going on, US President Donald Trump was present in Florida. From there he was keeping an eye on the entire mission through live feed. The US Defense Minister and CIA Director were also present with him. This operation is considered to be one of America’s most high-profile foreign military actions ever.

America shocked the whole world by arresting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Initially this action was seen to be linked to illegal drug smuggling, but now the reports coming out are telling a different story. According to a report by British media organization Sky News, Venezuela’s huge oil reserves are at the center of this entire incident.

America has been accusing Venezuela of drug smuggling for a long time. The activities of the US Navy, monitoring of tankers near the coast and maritime security operations were also linked to this. But Sky News says this is not the whole picture. The real reason may be the strategy related to energy and oil.

Why is America interested in Venezuelan oil?

At first glance this question seems strange, because America has today become the world’s largest oil producer. After the shale oil revolution, American production has reached record levels. In such a situation, the question arises that when America itself has so much oil, then why should it need Venezuela?

Big difference between light and heavy oil

Oil is not just oil. There are different types of crude oil also. Some are light, which flow easily, while some are extremely thick and sticky, which are called heavy crude oil. The shale oil produced in America is mostly light oil.

Helplessness of America’s refineries

Many of the large refineries in America were built decades ago to process heavy crude oil. Especially the refineries located in Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast are dependent on this type of oil. These cannot be replaced with light oil overnight, as this is a very expensive and technically complex task.

Dependence on imports increased, even though production is high

Today the situation is that even though America is producing the most oil, it has to depend on imports for heavy crude oil. In the last few years, the share of heavy oil in America’s total oil imports has increased rapidly and has reached about 70 percent.

What are the major sources of heavy oil?

The largest reserves of heavy crude oil in the world are in only a few countries. Canada and Venezuela are prominent among them. Apart from this, Russia is also a country where heavy oil is present in large quantities. Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, which are still underground.

This is where geopolitics comes in

According to Sky News report, America is eyeing the same heavy and thick oil of Venezuela, which is best suited for its refineries. This is the reason why Maduro’s arrest cannot be seen only from the angle of drug smuggling. This is also a matter related to energy security, strategic interdependence and global balance of power.

Is oil the real gamechanger?

Experts believe that Venezuelan oil is not only an economic resource for America but also a strategic weapon. If America’s control or influence on this oil increases, it can bring a big change in global energy politics. This is why questions are being raised across the world regarding Maduro’s arrest that the real reason is not drugs, but oil.

Also read: US-Venezuela Military: If there is a war with America, how long will the Venezuelan army last? See military comparison of the two countries.

America launched a military attack on Venezuela and arrested President Nicolas Maduro along with his wife. This action was carried out by America’s elite Delta Force. After this incident, the question is being raised at the global level that if this conflict turns into a full-scale war, then how long will the Venezuelan army be able to stand against a superpower like America. Although Venezuela’s Defense Minister has spoken of fighting till his last breath, the figures of military capability tell the story of a huge imbalance between the two countries. According to the report of Global Fire Index, America is at first place in terms of military strength. Whereas Venezuela is at number 50. This clearly shows that Venezuela is no where near America.

The Venezuelan armed forces are called the National Bolivarian Armed Forces. This army has been created mainly to maintain the internal security of the country and the stability of the government. At present, the number of its active soldiers is considered to be around 1 lakh 9 thousand. Apart from this, there are about 8 thousand soldiers in the reserve force. If paramilitary forces and militia are also added, the total number reaches around 2 lakh 20 thousand. Although this number looks strong on paper, this army is considered limited in terms of training, sources and technology.

air force and ground forces

The Venezuelan Air Force has a total of about 229 aircraft. Most of these are older Russian models, such as the Su-30MK2. There is a severe shortage of modern stealth fighter jets or advanced air defense systems. The effectiveness of these aircraft is considered limited in the face of modern missile and precision air attacks. The ground army has about 170 to 200 tanks and about 8,800 armored vehicles. These are also mostly old and have limited technology. Talking about the navy, Venezuela has small warships and coast guard boats, but no aircraft carriers or major maritime strike capability.

Defense budget becomes the biggest weakness

Venezuela’s annual defense budget is said to be around 4 to 5 billion dollars. This budget is considered extremely inadequate for modern weapons, new technology and logistics support. Modernization of the army has been stalled for a long time due to economic crisis and sanctions.

Now let’s look at America’s military strength

On the other hand, America is known as the most powerful military power in the world. There are approximately 1.3 million active soldiers in the United States Military. Apart from this, including Reserve and National Guard, this number reaches about 21 lakhs, which is many times more than that of Venezuela.

American air power and naval dominance

The US has more than 13,000 military aircraft, including state-of-the-art stealth fighter jets like the F-22 and F-35. These aircraft are capable of avoiding radar and carrying out precise attacks. Talking about maritime power, the US Navy has about 440 warships, which include 11 nuclear aircraft carriers. Apart from this, missile destroyers, nuclear submarines and long-range strike capabilities make America unbeatable at sea.

Technology, Nuclear and Global Network

America has a huge stockpile of nuclear weapons. Along with this, military bases spread across the world, satellite networks, space force and cyber war capabilities give it an edge at every level. Joint command system and real-time intelligence makes America fast and decisive in any war.

What will be the outcome if there is a war?

If there is a direct war between America and Venezuela, then Venezuela will not be able to last long in a one-on-one fight. America is ahead on every front in technology, weapons, budget and resources. Venezuela’s only option may be to resort to guerrilla tactics, local militias and prolonged asymmetric conflict rather than conventional war. However, this strategy can also show effect only for a limited period of time.

Also read: ‘If Trump can do this then India will kill the mastermind of 26/11…’ What did Asaduddin Owaisi say on Maduro’s arrest?