The dictator Maduro was captured by the elite unit 'Delta Force'

The United States government stated this Saturday that the dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was captured during the early hours of the morning in a high-precision military operation carried out by United States special forces, described as the most sophisticated in the world, known as "Delta Force".

The announcement was made by President Donald Trump from Mar-a-Lago, who described the mission as "brilliant", according to international media reports citing official sources.

According to information released by several news agencies, the operation took place at around 2:00 AM local time and combined aerial diversion maneuvers with a selective ground incursion in Caracas.

United States sources indicated that aerial attacks and electronic suppression actions have neutralized defense and communications systems at strategic facilities such as Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota air base.

In that context, the operators on the ground took advantage of the initial disorder to infiltrate the core of Venezuelan political and military power. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were quickly extracted and transferred out of the country before Venezuelan security forces could react in a coordinated manner. So far, the Venezuelan government hasn't officially confirmed the president's whereabouts or provided details about what happened.

The capture has been compared by analysts to the arrest of General Manuel Noriega during the invasion of Panama in 1989, due to the political and symbolic impact of a direct United States operation against a foreign head of state. The episode opens a new scenario of regional tension and raises questions about the short- and medium-term diplomatic and political consequences.

What is Delta Force?

The unit identified as responsible for the operation is Delta Force, popularly known as Delta Force, and it is considered one of the most secretive and elite military formations in the world.

Its official name has changed over time to protect its identity and functions: it was known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), later as Combat Applications Group (CAG) and, more recently, as Army Compartmented Elements (ACE).

Delta Force was founded in 1977 by Colonel Charles Beckwith, following his experience with the British Special Air Service (SAS). Beckwith promoted the creation of a unit specialized in "precision strike" missions, designed to operate in complex urban environments and to carry out counterterrorism actions, hostage rescues, and high-value captures that exceed the capabilities of conventional forces.

For decades, the Pentagon avoided officially acknowledging its existence. Its members are selected mainly from the Rangers and the Green Berets, and they must pass one of the most demanding selection processes in the United States armed forces, with acceptance rates ranging from 5% to 10%.

Although they report administratively to the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), in operations they report directly to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

Throughout its history, Delta Force has taken part in high-profile missions, such as the capture of Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 2003, operations against international terrorist networks, and the incursion into Syria in 2019 that culminated in the death of the leader of the terrorist Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

As is usually the case, the details of the operation in Venezuela remain classified and the operators involved don't receive public recognition.