Washington, January 11 2026, (Agencies) – The United States conducted a military raid in Venezuela earlier this month that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, with reports suggesting the use of a mysterious weapon that incapacitated Venezuelan soldiers, according to media accounts.
Eyewitnesses and leaked testimonies reported by the New York Post described symptoms including nosebleeds, vomiting blood, and immediate incapacitation among Venezuelan forces during the operation. The weapon has been described as a sonic or directed-energy device, although its existence and use have not been officially confirmed.
The raid, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, involved elite U.S. special operations units, supported by air assets and intelligence capabilities. Venezuelan authorities reported dozens of soldiers and allied personnel killed or injured during the assault.
While some media reports claim that a mysterious sonic-like weapon was deployed, the Pentagon and U.S. authorities have not publicly acknowledged the use of unconventional weapons in the operation. Verified accounts confirm the success of the raid in capturing Maduro and his wife, with conventional military tactics, drones, and coordinated ground forces playing a central role.
The Venezuelan government described the assault as a violation of sovereignty, and Maduro’s extradition to the United States has triggered international debate. Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to charges filed in U.S. courts following their capture.
Experts note that while sonic and directed-energy weapons exist in research or limited deployment, their operational use in this raid remains unverified, and reports of bleeding and vomiting should be treated as anecdotal until confirmed by independent sources.
The operation has intensified scrutiny of U.S. military capabilities and raised questions about potential unconventional tactics in high-profile international missions, while Venezuela continues to grapple with the political and humanitarian fallout.