Delta Force: Inside the Elite Unit Behind Maduro Capture

Reports indicate that Delta Force was the primary unit involved in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The operation, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, was a surprise nighttime raid on the fortified presidential compound in Caracas.

The mission was the result of months of intelligence gathering and planning. US officials stated that the operation included land, air, sea, space, cyber, and intelligence forces. President Donald Trump praised the execution of the raid, stating it was carried out by 'the most highly trained soldiers in the world.' Following the capture, Maduro and his wife were charged with drug and weapons offenses.

The US operation to capture Nicolás Maduro involved a complex, multi-faceted assault on his fortified compound in Caracas. According to reports, the raid began around 2 a.m., with aircraft, explosions, and smoke visible across the capital. The mission was designed to overwhelm the Venezuelan military and secure the target with the element of surprise.

Planning and Execution

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine detailed the preparation involved in the apprehension. US intelligence agencies monitored Maduro's patterns of life for months. To prepare for the physical assault, training teams utilized a replica of Maduro's home, a tactic previously used for the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden's compound.

The extraction team was inserted into the target area by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the 'Night Stalkers.' These helicopters, supported by fighters, bombers, and electronic warfare planes, reached the target undetected. American operators moved rapidly through the building, seizing Maduro and his wife before they could reach a steel safe room.

Outcome and Casualties

President Trump stated that the Venezuelan military was overwhelmed by US forces. During the operation:

• Several American personnel were injured
• One helicopter was hit but remained flyable
• No troops or equipment were lost

At the center of the extraction was Delta Force, officially designated as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (SFOD-D). This unit is considered one of the most elite and secretive groups in the US military, tasked specifically with capturing and eliminating high-value targets.

History and Origins

Founded in the 1970s by Colonel Charlie Beckwith, Delta Force was established for direct combat action, unconventional warfare, and counterterrorism. The unit is headquartered at Fort Bragg in North Carolina and recruits the best warfighters from across the US armed forces, though primarily from Army special operations.

Operators train extensively in:

• Rapid infiltration and exfiltration
• Intense close-quarters combat
• Precision marksmanship
• Demolition and hostage rescue

Known as 'quiet professionals,' Delta Force operators rarely speak publicly about their activities. However, their history includes several high-profile missions:

• 1989: Operation Just Cause, leading to the capture of Manuel Noriega
• 1993: The Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down)
• 2003: The capture of Saddam Hussein
• 2019: The death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

The Trump administration has justified the operation based on allegations that Nicol%C3%A1s%20Maduro&type=person" class="entity-link entity-person text-blue-600 dark:text-blue-400 hover:underline cursor-pointer">Nicolás Maduro supports narco-terrorism and other criminal activities. Additionally, the administration accused Venezuela of using oil revenue to fund malign activities. Maduro has denied these allegations.

Future of Venezuela

President Trump announced that the US intends to run Venezuela until a 'safe, proper' election can occur. He also indicated that US oil companies would be entering the country, which holds the world's largest proven crude oil reserves. To secure these operations, Trump stated he is not ruling out putting US troops on the ground and that the military is prepared to conduct further attacks if necessary.

Legal Charges

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi confirmed that Maduro and his wife have been charged in New York with drug and weapons offenses. He is scheduled to appear in court.

What is Delta Force?

Delta Force is an elite special operations unit of the US Army, officially known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. It is tasked with high-risk missions including counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and the capture or elimination of high-value targets.

What happened during the raid in Caracas?

US forces conducted a surprise nighttime raid on the Venezuelan presidential compound, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The operation involved extensive planning, air support, and a ground extraction team.

Why was Nicolás Maduro targeted?

The Trump administration accused Maduro of supporting narco-terrorism and using oil revenue to fund criminal activities. He has since been charged with drug and weapons offenses in the United States.