First, we need to understand the military capabilities of Venezuela. This country possessed CASIC HK-JM2 radar systems with a range of 500 km and JYL-1 3D radars with a range of 320 km, along with a variety of smaller-range Chinese radars. These are integrated with S-300VM and Buk-M2 batteries, which complement 11 Pechora batteries with an 80 km range. Additionally, they have or had Mistral drone defence systems with up to 6 km range and EW systems around bases and anti-aircraft batteries.

Furthermore, vessels equipped with C-892A anti-ship missiles capable of reaching 180 km, along with Iranian fast boats equipped with missiles.

The more than 20 aircraft, notably the Russian-made Su-30s, are also a headache, as they are armed with KH-31 anti-ship missiles.

The Americans have been investing in internal operations to coopt military personnel, since the Venezuelan armed forces are marked by coup attempts in recent years, and today about 25 generals and colonels are imprisoned.

The US attack on Caracas on January 3 seems to have targeted exactly the radars and some air defence batteries.

Venezuela already had a problem with radars, since it lacked spare parts for its Western radars due to the embargo, so it began operating new Russian and Chinese radars. Until very recently, the radar situation was as follows:

- HK-JM2: Chinese; 500 km; Long-range defence; Operational.

- JYL-1: Chinese; 470 km; Long-range 3D; 7+ units; Operational.

- JY-11B: Chinese; 450 km; 3D UHF; Multiple units; Operational.

- TPS-70: American; 370 km; Mobile surveillance; Unknown status; Partially operational.

- 36D6 Tin Shield: Russian; 300 km; 3D detection; Operational.

- TPS-43: American; 360 km; Air surveillance; Unknown status; Possibly inoperative.

Missiles struck the naval base in La Guaira, the main port near Caracas that received and operated Iranian equipment, such as CM-90/Qader anti-ship missiles and fast boats with missiles.

Although part of this equipment may have been lost in the attack on January 3, there is still a lot of equipment at the main naval base in Puerto Cabello, another hub of the Venezuelan Navy for fast attack boats and anti-ship missiles. I can say that this base concentrates the largest amount of navy equipment, and it seems intact to me. The focuses were Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

The attack on the command and control facilities in Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas left the military without a reaction.

The air bases Libertador, which is the main fighter base (Su-30MK2, F-16), the La Carlota base, which operates helicopters, and the Higuerote airport were bombed, while other bases were spared.

The Venezuelan losses were considerable but insufficient to prevent a reaction. The attacked bases possessed:

- Anti-ship missiles (including Iranian ones).

- Air defence systems.

- Helicopters.

- Military stocks.

- Naval assets (fast boats and patrol ships).

La Guaira, in particular, was key for anti-ship missiles and Iranian imports. The attacks seem focused on strategic military infrastructure, with reports of damage to ships and facilities.

The absence of reaction from air defence systems like Pechora and even MANPADs makes me think that part of the entire armed forces was coopted.

Helicopters flying low and opening fire over Caracas, over an army that possesses 5,000 MANPADs and more than 100 air defence systems, doesn't make any sense unless there was a ground cooptation operation. But there's something in all this that doesn't fit. Every leader has at least a portion of the military on their side. This all smells like something very negotiated. In fact, most military bases were spared, which doesn't make any sense in an attack prepared for so long. There's something that will still be explained.

At this moment, there are Venezuelan troops on the streets and American helicopters flying low, still without being bothered.

President Donald Trump made a post announcing the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. If true, it corroborates the idea that there was no resistance from the Venezuelan army, which handed Maduro over to the American military.

Maduro always had a bad relationship with the military and neighbours, very different from Chavez's, who was charismatic and maintained good relations with almost all South American governments. Maduro distanced himself from Brazil and Colombia, his main neighbours, who although condemn the American action, do not make any defence of Maduro's legitimacy.    

At the time of writing, several hours after the attack began at 5am local time, the operation already seems like it's over, but the whole thing appears to be staged show, with Maduro acting voluntarily and a huge amount of money being poured into the Venezuelan military.