The successful capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was significantly supported by space and cyber operations, according to officials from US Space Command (SPACECOM). During a recent briefing, a SPACECOM spokesperson highlighted the importance of these capabilities, stating that they ensured the Joint Force’s operational freedom throughout the mission, known as Operation Absolute Resolve.
In military terminology, “overwatch” involves one unit providing protective support to another during an operation. This includes gathering intelligence on enemy positions and delivering cover fire. Although specific details regarding the mission are classified for operational security, the spokesperson emphasized that space-based capabilities, such as positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and satellite communications (SATCOM), are foundational to modern military engagements.
During a press conference on January 3, 2023, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged the contributions of SPACECOM in the mission. “As the night began, the helicopters took off with the extraction force, which included law enforcement officers, and began their flight into Venezuela at 100 feet above the water,” he explained. He noted that various effects were layered by SPACECOM, US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM), and other interagency members to facilitate the operation.
The evolution of coordination between SPACECOM and other military branches has been notable, according to John Shaw, former deputy of SPACECOM. He remarked that the integration of space capabilities into joint warfighting has significantly improved. “We saw this with Midnight Hammer last year, and now with Absolute Resolve, the collaboration among SPACECOM, US Southern Command, and US Special Operations Command appears to be at an all-time high,” he said.
Shaw added that the success of these recent operations correlates strongly with enhanced integration of space capabilities. Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, noted that while the specific roles of SPACECOM during the mission may not be widely discussed, its contributions were essential. He stated that SPACECOM likely facilitated secure SATCOM links, monitored GPS signals for jamming attempts, and tracked potential missile threats in the region.
The roles of two key intelligence agencies, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), were also crucial. Harrison emphasized that these agencies likely provided significant intelligence, including surveillance and mapping of the location where Maduro was captured.
The impact of CYBERCOM’s operations was also addressed during the press conference. Caine indicated that non-kinetic effects were utilized to suppress Venezuelan defenses, which President Donald Trump suggested involved disabling power in Caracas, creating a tactical advantage. “It was dark, and it was deadly,” Trump noted.
While the specifics of CYBERCOM’s involvement remain undisclosed due to operational security, experts speculate that tactics may have included disrupting the power grid and communications in the Venezuelan capital. Emily Harding, vice president of the defense and security department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), remarked on the significance of such tactics in modern warfare.
Former NGA chief technology officer Anthony Vinci echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the military’s approach to infrastructure could become a standard tactic in future conflicts. He emphasized that CYBERCOM’s potential role in shutting down power could have been executed through both offensive tactics and ground-level operations.
The implications of these developments extend beyond Venezuela. According to Lauryn Williams and Taylar Rajic from CSIS, the operations led to significant disruptions in Venezuelan air defenses, communications, and GPS capabilities. They warned that adversaries, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, would be closely observing these tactics to inform their own military strategies.
Overall, the coordinated efforts of space and cyber operations played a pivotal role in the successful execution of Operation Absolute Resolve, demonstrating the growing importance of these capabilities in modern military operations.
