Caracas burned under a fiery assault as the U.S. military, on orders from President Donald Trump, struck with precision on Saturday, turning the Venezuelan capital into a warzone, as the New York Post reports.

The operation was a massive show of force, with strikes devastating key military sites, flames swallowing the night sky, and the eventual capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by elite U.S. forces for extradition to face serious charges.

For American taxpayers, this isn’t just a far-off conflict; it’s a direct hit to their wallets with billions potentially spent on military ops while domestic needs like border security and infrastructure beg for funding. The legal exposure of such an aggressive move could also entangle the U.S. in international disputes, draining resources further. From a conservative standpoint, we must ask if this accountability mission justifies the hefty price tag.

Caracas in Chaos After U.S. Strikes

The assault began with a barrage of missiles raining down on Caracas, targeting strategic locations like the Higuerote airbase where massive fires erupted.

Video evidence captured the sheer intensity—plumes of thick smoke rising over the city as explosions rocked the ground, with at least seven distinct blasts echoing for nearly half an hour.

Gunfire crackled through the streets around 2 a.m. local time, sending terrified residents flooding out in panic as their capital became a battlefield.

Fuerte Tiuna Devastated by Explosion

One of the most striking images from the attack shows a ferocious blaze tearing through Fuerte Tiuna, the nation’s largest military complex in Caracas, after a powerful detonation.

Satellite imagery, comparing before and after, confirms the extensive damage to this critical site, underscoring the operation’s raw destructive force.

While the human toll remains unclear with no immediate casualty reports, the physical scars on Venezuela’s infrastructure are undeniable—and the political fallout is just beginning.

Maduro Captured, Extradited to U.S.

Amid the chaos, a U.S. Army Delta Force team executed a daring raid, apprehending Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in a move straight out of a Hollywood thriller.

Whisked away to American soil, the couple faced jeers of “down with the dictator” from hundreds gathered outside a Brooklyn lockup, a stark contrast to their once-iron grip on power. They now stand indicted on heavy charges like narco-terrorism conspiracy and plotting to possess destructive weapons.

Attorney General Pam Bondi didn’t mince words, stating, “They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.” That’s a promise of accountability many conservatives cheer, though we must ensure the process remains transparent and not a political circus.

Trump Praises Operation, Venezuela Condemns

Bondi also added, “On behalf of the entire U.S. DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.” While her gratitude to our troops is well-placed, let’s not forget to scrutinize if this mission aligns with broader national interests or just flexes muscle.

President Donald Trump himself called the attack a “brilliant” operation, a descriptor that resonates with supporters tired of endless diplomatic tiptoeing. Yet, brilliance in battle must be matched by wisdom in policy—will this truly stabilize the region or ignite more resentment?

Venezuela’s government, predictably, cried foul, labeling the strikes an act of aggression and a breach of international norms while accusing the U.S. of eyeing their oil and mineral wealth. Their claims might be propaganda, but dismissing them outright risks ignoring legitimate grievances; a conservative approach demands we weigh all sides while prioritizing American security over foreign treasure hunts.