The New York Times reported new details regarding a purported U.S. cyber operation that allegedly disrupted Venezuelan electricity in the lead-up to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. According to the report, unnamed U.S. officials claimed the cyberattack briefly cut power to most residents of Caracas, the capital city, for only a few minutes, while some neighborhoods near the military base where Maduro was seized experienced outages lasting up to three days. The operation also reportedly targeted Venezuelan military radar defenses, with the U.S. Cyber Command allegedly involved.

The newspaper reported that the disruption of electricity in Caracas and the interference with radar systems facilitated the undetected entry of U.S. military helicopters into Venezuela, supporting the mission to capture Maduro, who now faces drug charges in the United States. The New York Times provided limited additional details, omitting the specific methods purportedly used in the cyber operation.

The alleged cyberattack raises questions about the use of offensive cyber capabilities by nation-states and the potential impact on civilian infrastructure. The incident echoes concerns surrounding past cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, such as the December 2015 Russian cyberattack that disabled electricity in Ukraine. Such attacks highlight the vulnerability of essential services to cyber warfare and the potential for significant societal disruption.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cyber operations is a growing concern. AI can be used to automate the discovery of vulnerabilities, develop sophisticated malware, and launch large-scale attacks. Conversely, AI can also be used for defensive purposes, such as detecting and responding to cyber threats in real-time. The development of AI-powered cyber weapons raises ethical and strategic questions about the future of cyber warfare.

The lack of transparency surrounding the alleged U.S. cyber operation in Venezuela makes it difficult to assess the full extent of its impact and the methods used. Experts emphasize the need for clear international norms and regulations regarding the use of cyber weapons to prevent escalation and protect civilian infrastructure. The incident underscores the complex challenges of attributing cyberattacks and the importance of responsible cyber behavior by nation-states.