"Capturing somebody and brining them back against all odds...is so much harder to pull off."

Fact Checking a YouTube Video

""Capturing somebody and brining them back against all odds...is so much harder t..."

From Sheriff of Baghdad | John "Shrek" McPhee

January 9, 2026

/100

Accurate

Analysis Summary

The video correctly reports on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in January 2026, a real event confirmed by multiple sources. Key details such as the operation name ('Absolute Resolve'), the units involved (Delta Force, Night Stalkers), and Maduro's attire (gray Nike tracksuit) are accurate. However, the video contains a significant error in the timeline, claiming Maduro arrived in New York at 4:30 AM; reports confirm he landed at 4:30 PM (16:30). The 'missile strike' footage is likely illustrative stock footage rather than the actual event, a common practice in breaking news.

Video Transcript

John "Shrek" McPhee comments on New Details About Raid That Captured Nicolas Maduro. (NARRATOR): We'...

John "Shrek" McPhee comments on New Details About Raid That Captured Nicolas Maduro. (NARRATOR): We're learning dramatic new details about the daring raid that brought Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and his wife to the US in handcuffs. (JOHN MCPHEE): It's the Super Bowl. They just won the Super Bowl of military like stuff for lack of a better way to say it. (NARRATOR): John McPhee is a former Delta Force soldier, the elite unit that carried out the audacious raid. (STEVEN FABIAN): Why was this mission one for Delta Force and not for say another military unit? (JOHN MCPHEE): Any unit in the army could go out and kill somebody. The capturing somebody and bringing them back against all odds, against overwhelming fire, against all these other factors is so much harder to pull off. (NARRATOR): The Delta Force squadron rehearsed the flawlessly executed attack for months, using a replica of Maduro's fortified compound constructed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Here's the timeline that's making history. 10:46 PM Friday night. President Trump having dinner at Mar-a-Lago gives the final go order for Operation Absolute Resolve, sending 150 aircraft including fighters, bombers, and helicopters toward the capital of Venezuela. This video captures the moment a missile struck. [Sound of explosion]. 1:00 AM. The Delta Force team reached Caracas, flown in by helicopter units known as Night Stalkers. (JOHN MCPHEE): Once the helicopters land, it's a all out sprint to go get this guy. We know they knew he was going to a safe room, right? There was probably guys designated to run to that safe room against all odds to make sure he doesn't shut that door. (NARRATOR): 3:30 AM. The operation is over. This photo of Maduro was taken on board the Iwo Jima. He was wearing a gray Nike tracksuit. He's blindfolded and clutching a bottle of spring water. 4:30 AM. Maduro arrives in New York and delivers a sarcastic message for his captors. (NICOLAS MADURO): Good night! Happy New Year! (NARRATOR): 63-year-old Maduro spurned a US offer that would have allowed him to step down and go into exile in Turkey. He would have been free. Too late now.

Accurate Information

Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in January 2026.

The operation was named 'Operation Absolute Resolve'.

Delta Force and the 160th SOAR ('Night Stalkers') conducted the raid.

Maduro was flown to New York and wore a gray Nike tracksuit.

Maduro was recorded saying 'Good night! Happy New Year!' upon arrival.

Inaccurate Information

The video claims Maduro arrived in New York at 4:30 AM; he actually arrived at 4:30 PM (16:30) on Saturday, January 3.

The specific 'missile strike' clip shown is likely misattributed or illustrative file footage, as no verified public footage of the specific strikes exists yet.

Missing Context

The 'Good night' comment makes more sense in the context of his actual evening arrival (4:30 PM - 5:00 PM) rather than the 4:30 AM time claimed by the video.

Analysis of Claims (4)

True

"US forces captured Nicolas Maduro in a raid named 'Operation Absolute Resolve'."

Multiple sources confirm that on January 3, 2026, US forces captured Maduro in an operation with this specific codename.

Sources:

• Trump Announces U.S. Military's Capture of Maduro

Unverified

"Maduro arrived in New York at 4:30 AM."

Maduro landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York at approximately 4:30 PM (16:30) on Saturday, January 3, not 4:30 AM.

Fact: Maduro arrived in New York at 4:30 PM.

Sources:

• From Strongman to Cellmate: Venezuelan President Maduro's NYC Arrival • Captured Venezuelan Leader Nicolás Maduro to Appear in U.S. Court

True

"Maduro was wearing a gray Nike tracksuit and said 'Good night! Happy New Year!'"

Photos released by President Trump show Maduro in the tracksuit, and video footage from his arrival at the DEA headquarters confirms his spoken words.

Sources:

• 'Maduro tracksuit' goes viral after Trump photo • 'Good Night, Happy New Year': First Words From Captured Nicolas Maduro

True

"150 aircraft were sent toward the capital of Venezuela."

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine confirmed the operation involved more than 150 aircraft.

Sources:

• 150 aircraft, cyber effects and 'overwhelming force:' How the Venezuela operation unfolded