In recent years, military operations have increasingly integrated cyber warfare elements. A significant example is what happened in Venezuela at the beginning of 2026, where cyber attacks played a crucial role in a high-profile U.S. military operation.
On January 3, 2026, the United States conducted Operation Absolute Resolve, a military action that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. American officials publicly acknowledged the use of cyber attacks as part of a coordinated multi-domain operation. President Trump declared that “the lights in Caracas were largely turned off thanks to a certain expertise that we possess,” suggesting the use of cyber attacks to disable critical infrastructure. Moreover, in December 2025, one month before the operation, PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela SA), the Venezuelan state-owned oil company, suffered a cyber attack that blocked its systems, forcing the company to operate via telephone calls and handwritten reports.
This episode highlights how cybersecurity has become a fundamental component of modern military strategies. The U.S. Cyber Command was involved in “overlaying different effects” to “create a path” for the operation, demonstrating how cyber capabilities can be used to prepare the ground for physical operations. However, it’s important to note that the attribution of cyber attacks to the U.S. government has not been independently confirmed by cybersecurity researchers, and the exact role of cyber operations versus kinetic effects (such as jamming and graphite bombs) in the blackout remains unclear.
For companies and users, this event underscores the importance of protecting critical infrastructure. Organizations should implement robust cybersecurity strategies, conduct regular vulnerability assessments, and develop incident response plans. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is also essential to improve resilience against nationwide cyber attacks.
- Key points to remember:
- Cyber attacks have become tools of foreign and military policy, with potential large-scale consequences for civilian infrastructure
- The distinction between traditional military operations and cyber operations is becoming increasingly blurred, creating new challenges for national security
- Protecting critical infrastructure requires a collaborative approach between governments, private companies, and cybersecurity experts
Sources:
Politico (2026): “Trump: Venezuela cyber operation Maduro”
RUSI (2026): “Layered Ambiguity: US Cyber Capabilities in the Raid to Extract Maduro from Venezuela”
Insurance Journal (2026): “News/International”
Harfanglab (2026): “2026 Cyber Threatscape Predictions”
Source: DataBreaches