U.S. Army Delta Force Captures Nicolás Maduro
President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force conducted a bold nighttime operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Delta Force, also known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta, specializes in high-risk missions that involve apprehending or eliminating high-value targets. These operations require a combination of speed, stealth, and precision.
This unit operates under the U.S. Special Operations Command and is typically called in when missions have substantial political or strategic implications.
Based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Delta Force has participated in numerous significant military operations over the years, including the capture of Saddam Hussein in 2003. They’ve also undertaken various counterterrorism missions against al-Qaeda leaders across the Middle East.
The command structure of Delta Force remains largely secretive. Its size and the identities of its leaders are not publicly disclosed. Details about how many members were involved in the operation in Venezuela aren’t clear.
During the raid, officials noted that a U.S. Army helicopter from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment aided the special operations forces as they entered Venezuela. Reports indicated at least seven explosions were heard in Caracas, with a plane spotted flying low around 2 a.m. local time.
The CIA provided vital intelligence, assisting in tracking Maduro. While President Trump mentioned that the Maduros were captured during a U.S. military operation, officials emphasized that the actual capture was executed by military special operations.
After Maduro’s fall, Maria Colina Machado has emerged as a probable successor.
President Trump praised the military personnel involved in the operation, stating they performed exceptionally well. “They rehearsed and practiced like no one has ever seen,” he remarked. He added that, according to credible military sources, no other nation could have executed such a complex operation.
In fact, Trump claimed he monitored the operation as it unfolded, describing the scale of the mission—according to him, the number of aircraft and helicopters was substantial, and various fighter jets were on standby for any potential scenarios.
Maduro was reportedly apprehended inside a fortified compound right before he could reach safety.
There were injuries reported during the operation, though thankfully, there were no American military fatalities or losses of aircraft.
The captured Maduros are to be transported to the U.S. on the battleship Iwo Jima and may face a federal court appearance in New York City as soon as Monday.
