US Used Indonesian-Made Plane to Capture Venezuelan President, CN-235 Becomes the Spotlight of the World

Jakarta - The CN-235 light-medium transport aircraft, the result of cooperation between Indonesian and Spanish aerospace industries, is reportedly involved in the United States (US) military operation in Venezuela. This operation led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Saturday, January 3, local time.

The involvement of the CN-235 aircraft emerged after the circulation of a military operation document titled "Absolute Resolve", which was revealed through the upload of the X @ianellisjones social media account and then reposted by the Golden Eagle account. In the document, the CN-235 is listed as part of the support fleet of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (USAFSOC).

US President Donald Trump is said to have deployed at least 150 military aircraft in an operation that is claimed to be one of the largest US air operations in Latin America in decades.

The US air power package includes the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters, the F/A-18 Super Hornet attack aircraft, the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber, and the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft. The air power layer is tasked with crippling Venezuela's air defense system since the early phase of the operation.

In addition, the US also deployed reconnaissance and command aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry (AWACS), E-2D Hawkeye, and RC-135 Rivet Joint to ensure full situational awareness during the operation. Intelligence support was strengthened by the use of long-range drones for real-time monitoring and precision fire support.

In the operation document, the CN-235 was placed as part of a group of support aircraft, with a crucial role in maintaining the smooth flow of logistics, troop movements, and cross-sector coordination amid high combat intensity.

The plane is said to have played a key role, especially in the withdrawal phase of troops, ensuring that special forces helicopters, including the Delta Force, could safely enter and exit the Caracas area after the target of the operation was secured.

The air dominance built by the US allowed the special forces to reach the target complex, secure President Maduro and his wife, and then evacuate them without casualties on the part of the United States.

The CN-235 is a plane that is the result of collaboration between PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) with CASA Spain (now Airbus Defence & Space). This program began in 1979 and has produced more than 300 aircraft units that operate in various countries.

SOUTHCOM force posture following joint operation Absolute Resolve:

• 150+ aircraft from 20 bases participated• Ground force of ~200 U.S. personnel "went downtown in Caracas"• Unprecedented employment of OWA drones and layered CYBERCOM + SPACECOM effects

The final update? pic.twitter.com/c9gg9g4bFW

— Ian Ellis (@ianellisjones) January 6, 2026

The US military itself is estimated to operate around 32 CN-235 units in various variants, including for tactical transport missions and special operations.

The CN-235-220 variant is known as a light-medium military transport aircraft with Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities, allowing take-offs and landings on short and unpaved runways - an important advantage in military operations in conflict areas.

Passenger capacity: 35–42 people

Troop transport: up to 49 personnel

Paratroop: up to 34 personnel

Maximum payload: up to 5,200 kg

Engines: 2 × General Electric CT7-9C turboprop

Engine power: up to 1,870 SHP (APR)

Maximum cruising speed: 239 knots

Flight endurance: up to 11 hours

Take-off distance: about 931 meters

The CN-235 is also equipped with a ramp door at the back, making it easier to load and unload quickly, as well as a flexible configuration for various missions, ranging from troop transport, medical evacuation, to military cargo.

The involvement of the CN-235 in this major US military operation is considered proof that the aircraft platform developed by Indonesia has world-class operational standards and is recognized by the military of the superpower.

However, until now there has been no official statement from the Indonesian government or PT Dirgantara Indonesia regarding the use of CN-235 in US military operations in Venezuela.