US used elite Delta Force-style secret unit in Venezuela operation, reports suggest
Washington:The United States is believed to have deployed its most secretive and elite military unit in the recent high-intensity operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, drawing comparisons to the 2011 raid in Pakistan’s Abbottabad that killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
According to international media reports, the operation that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was carried out by America’s clandestine special forces, reportedly spearheaded by the elite Delta Force.
During the operation, loud explosions were heard across Venezuela’s capital Caracas and surrounding areas, indicating precision strikes on key strategic targets.
CBS News reported that the mission was executed by Delta Force, the US military’s top-tier special mission unit, known for conducting high-risk and high-value operations with extreme secrecy. Sources suggest the operation was swift, decisive, and left Venezuelan forces with little or no time to respond.
A lightning operation:
Reports indicate that the assault unfolded in rapid succession, involving coordinated air strikes and ground actions. Continuous explosions and low-flying aircraft reportedly paralysed Caracas within minutes.
The scale and speed of the operation were such that Venezuelan security forces were unable to mount either a counterattack or an effective defensive response. Analysts have described it as a “shock-and-awe” style operation, designed to neutralise leadership targets before any organised resistance could emerge.
US President Donald Trump later confirmed that Maduro and his wife had been captured and transferred out of Venezuela. American officials have accused Maduro of being a central figure in an international drug trafficking network, a charge that Caracas has consistently denied.
What is Delta Force?:
Delta Force, officially known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta (1st SFOD-D), was established in 1977 and is based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It operates under the US Army Special Operations Command and falls within the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).
Modeled on the British Special Air Service (SAS), Delta Force is regarded as one of the most secretive and capable military units in the world. Due to the classified nature of its missions, the unit has been referred to by several alternate names, including Combat Applications Group (CAG) and Army Compartmented Elements (ACE).
Its core mandate includes counterterrorism operations, hostage rescue, capture or elimination of high-value targets, and special reconnaissance.
Capabilities and structure:
Delta Force operators are trained in close-quarters combat, advanced marksmanship, sniping, explosives, covert entry, and unconventional warfare. They are capable of operating across diverse environments—urban centres, deserts, jungles, and maritime zones—and can conduct missions involving aircraft, ships, trains, and vehicles.
Structurally, Delta Force is divided into four main squadrons, each further broken into specialised troops. These include reconnaissance and sniper units, as well as direct action assault teams tasked with raids and capture missions. This flexible structure allows the unit to rapidly adapt to evolving operational scenarios.
A history of high-profile missions:
While most Delta Force operations remain classified, several have become public over time. These include involvement in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the capture or killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia, Operation Prime Chance in the Persian Gulf, and hostage rescue missions in Iraq.
Military analysts note that the reported Venezuela operation bears the hallmarks of Delta Force tactics—speed, secrecy, precision, and overwhelming force applied within a short time frame.
Elite selection process:
Entry into Delta Force is notoriously difficult. The unit recruits only the most capable soldiers, primarily from the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and the 75th Ranger Regiment. The selection process spans several weeks and includes extreme physical and mental endurance tests, such as long-distance marches carrying heavy rucksacks over rugged terrain.
Candidates who pass selection undergo a rigorous six-month Operator Training Course (OTC), preparing them for the world’s most dangerous and sensitive missions.
If confirmed, the use of such an elite unit in Venezuela underscores the seriousness with which Washington viewed the operation and signals a major escalation in US action against the Maduro regime.
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