oh for sure, such is the nature of speculating on these things as they are occuring.

As you say, this check has been in the mail for a while, so how are vulernable helicopters flying over caracas without any resistance? One dude with a MANPADS could take them down.

Decapitation is also the only aparent strategic goal of this operation, so it's hardly far fetched to suggest they going for 'one and done'.

Anyway, beers on me if I'm wrong :)