A chilling firsthand testimony from a Venezuelan security guard who was on duty during the U.S. military operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro has drawn global attention and controversy. The guard’s account, widely shared on social media by U.S. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, paints a stark picture of what he described as overwhelming force and advanced technology used by U.S. forces during Operation Absolute Resolve.
Guard Describes Overwhelming Force and Advanced Weapons
The Venezuelan guard said he and dozens of other troops were caught off-guard on the morning of January 3, when the United States launched a surprise raid to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. He described the assault as a “massacre,” claiming that hundreds of defenders had “no chance” against the small number of U.S. soldiers, estimated at about 20 men, supported by drones and helicopters.
“They were shooting with such precision and speed,” he said, adding it “felt like each soldier was firing 300 rounds per minute.”
In his account, he also referenced what he called a “weird weapon” that emitted intense sound waves, causing severe physical reactions among Venezuelan personnel — including nosebleeds and vomiting blood. “I felt like my head was exploding from the inside,” he said.
Technology and Tactical Surprise
According to the guard’s account, Venezuelan radar systems shut down without warning before drones appeared over the capital. Helicopters then delivered U.S. troops who quickly overran Venezuelan positions. The guard stated that Venezuelan defenders were unable to respond effectively, citing a perceived technological edge.
Independent reporting and military analyses indicate that Operation Absolute Resolve involved extensive planning and assets: over 150 aircraft including helicopters and drones, and nearly 200 U.S. special operations personnel — although official U.S. sources have not confirmed the use of any novel sonic weapon.
Casualties and Aftermath
The human cost of the operation remains contested. Venezuelan officials have claimed that more than 100 people were killed during the raid, including members of Venezuelan and allied Cuban forces. The Venezuelan government declared a period of national mourning following the assault. U.S. estimates indicate around 75 deaths among Venezuelan and Cuban personnel and civilians, while no U.S. troops were reported killed — though some U.S. troops were injured.
Maduro and Flores were transported from Caracas to New York to face federal charges, including narcotics and weapons accusations, and both have pleaded not guilty in court.
International Reaction and Debate
The operation has intensified geopolitical tensions. Critics have condemned the U.S. action as a violation of international law and an infringement on Venezuelan sovereignty, while some U.S. officials framed it as a law-enforcement operation to detain an indicted foreign leader. Legal scholars and global leaders have voiced concern about precedence and legality.
Online reaction to the guard’s specific claims has been mixed, with some dismissing the sonic weapon narrative as unsubstantiated or exaggerated, and others calling for independent investigation into the technologies employed during the raid.
Warning to World, Says Survivor
In his testimony, the guard issued a stern warning to other nations about resisting U.S. military power: “They have no idea what they’re capable of… they’re not to be messed with.”
As debate continues over the conduct, ethics, and broader implications of Operation Absolute Resolve, the firsthand account has fueled international scrutiny of modern military tactics and the balance between technological dominance and humanitarian standards.