Rumors of sonic weapons in Operation Absolute Resolve
The result of one of the American strikes on Caracas. Presumably, a SAM system was hit.
On the night of January 3, 2026, several US military elements carried out Operation Absolute Resolve. Together, they overwhelmed Venezuela's defenses, invaded Caracas, and then captured and extracted President Nicolás Maduro from the country. New details of this operation are gradually emerging. Recently, reports have emerged of the use of unknown means of suppressing enemy manpower.
Unnamed source
The first details of "Absolute Resolve" emerged on January 3-4. This information was officially released by US military and political leaders. Then, media outlets, with their unnamed sources, began publishing the information. Furthermore, new data of varying degrees of reliability began appearing on social media.
Thus, a few days after the operation, in late January, a video of unclear origin appeared on social media, detailing unknown details of the American operation. Someone claiming to be a member of the Venezuelan security forces described what he and his comrades allegedly encountered on the night of January 3.
An anonymous source claimed that the American paratroopers used some new weapon during the battle with the Venezuelan president's security detail. weapon or suppression system. He describes the effect of this system as an intense sound wave that causes painful sensations and other symptoms.
The LRAD sound suppression system on a US Navy ship.
Exposure to such a wave causes headaches. According to an anonymous source, it felt like his head was exploding from the inside. Other soldiers suffered similar injuries. Some developed nosebleeds, while others experienced nausea and vomiting, including blood.
The narrator claims his unit was effectively rendered ineffective. The sonic boom prevented the fighters from even standing, let alone actively resisting. As a result, the American side gained the upper hand. According to the anonymous source, two dozen US fighters killed hundreds of Venezuelan soldiers.
At the end of such an interview, the anonymous narrator issues a warning to anyone seeking to oppose the United States. He cautions these countries against such a move, which could lead to a wide range of consequences. However, the interviewer kindly points out that this applies primarily to other Latin American countries.
A video of an interview allegedly with a Venezuelan fighter, both original and translated, circulated on social media and attracted attention. On January 10, even White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt posted it on her page. The video placed a special emphasis on warnings and calls for non-confrontation with the United States.
Big Questions
Official information about Operation Absolute Resolve was suddenly supplemented with new details bordering on sensational. It turned out that US special forces possess fundamentally new means and systems for combating enemy personnel—and are ready to use them. However, such "news" raise questions and doubts.
Car-based LRAD
First of all, the veracity of the published interview is questionable. The creators of this video provide no evidence. They simply ask us to believe that the unknown narrator is an employee of one of the Venezuelan structures. Furthermore, the viewer is expected to accept his story without question.
The supposed participant in the defense describes in detail how the unknown American system operates and what symptoms it causes. Apparently, he's trying to frighten the viewer. For the same purpose, he mentions two dozen American fighters and numerous casualties on the defending side.
Having horrified the viewer, the narrator and interviewer conclude that confrontation with the United States is futility and dangerous. Clearly, this statement is the key message in the video. Essentially, the entire narrative leads to the idea of the United States' complete and utter technological superiority. And, predictably, the narrator warns other countries accordingly.
Apparently, the video about the sonic weapon is yet another example of a "psychological operation." Though poorly disguised, it conveys the main idea and is likely intended to convince foreign leaders of the need for friendship with the United States.
Despite all this, it's easy to see that this propaganda is rather poorly executed. The origins of the video, the "details" of the recent operation it reveals, and so on raise questions and doubts. Perhaps the video was produced in a hurry, and its creators didn't have time to work out all the nuances. However, one cannot rule out the possibility that the creators were overconfident—they may have assumed that even such a dubious video would accomplish their goals.
ADS-type "microwave gun"
Real basis
Thus, the reports of the use of sonic weapons during Operation Absolute Resolve are most likely untrue. However, it should be noted that the United States did indeed develop similar concepts and even created actual prototypes of acoustic-based jamming systems. In theory, their development by now could yield interesting results.
Various "sound cannons" were developed in the United States, but as far as is known, only the Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) has reached serial production and deployment. The "long-range acoustic device" is a specialized high-power loudspeaker with a control unit that emits a specific signal. This device can be mounted on various platforms, both land and sea.
The LRAD generates a directional sound wave with a volume of approximately 120-130 dB and high pressure. The sound from the LRAD is unpleasant to humans, and the high volume intensifies this unpleasant sensation. The idea is that people entering the system's range will try to leave it as quickly as possible. This will discourage them from engaging in any active behavior, including illegal ones.
It's worth remembering that the United States also developed other non-lethal weapons against manpower. For example, the Active Denial System (ADS) was tested and put into limited use. This device directs a microwave beam at the target, causing a burning sensation on the skin and other unpleasant sensations.
The ADS demonstrated its effectiveness during testing and limited use. However, it was subsequently abandoned due to a lack of clear data on its humaneness and the absence of long-term adverse effects.
Another version of ADS
LRAD or ADS systems, as previously described, are quite large and require a carrier platform. A vehicle, ship, or other vehicle must transport the system and provide it with power. Furthermore, such a platform can comfortably accommodate an operator.
Development in question
ADS and LRAD systems were developed quite a while ago, back in the 2000s. Due to their unique combination of characteristics and capabilities, they were never widely deployed. Furthermore, as far as we know, the Pentagon and other agencies subsequently lost interest in such technology.
However, it cannot be said that work has completely stopped. New projects may have been developed behind closed doors, and their results intended for classified structures and units. If this is the case, then the recent story from the alleged fighter from Venezuela becomes a little more credible.
Overall, the Pentagon's recent operation raises numerous questions, and not all of them will be answered now or in the near future. The lack of information is fueling various assessments and even speculation. Furthermore, the current situation lends itself to the organization of "information operations."
Perhaps the situation will become clearer in the future, and all the main topics and questions will be properly addressed. However, don't expect American special forces to begin disclosing all the features and capabilities of their current weapons and equipment anytime soon. This means that the topic of a hypothetical sonic weapon will once again remain unanswered.
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