Delta Force, the US military’s top special mission unit, is reportedly tied to the detention of Venezuela’s Maduro after a strike, raising global tensions and intrigue.
This marks a dramatic moment in US-Latin America relations and casts the covert unit known for high-risk operations into global view. (Photo: X)
New photos and reports showing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro detained by US military personnel have thrust one elite American unit into the spotlight: Delta Force. Trump posted that Maduro and his wife were “captured and flown out of the country,” raising questions about how US forces achieved what many thought impossible.
The image circulating online shows Maduro in custody, and analysts are now examining the role Delta Force may have played in the mission. This marks a dramatic moment in US-Latin America relations and casts the covert unit known for high-risk operations into global view.
In a Truth Social post early Saturday, President Donald Trump wrote that the United States had conducted a “large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader.” He added that Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country.” Trump confirmed US law enforcement involvement but did not clarify which agencies took part or how the capture unfolded.
Maduro has been the target of US sanctions and legal actions for years, including a 2020 indictment in an American court over alleged narco-terrorism links. The latest operation signals a shift from economic pressure to direct military engagement.
Delta Force, officially called the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta (1st SFOD-D), is one of the US Army’s most secretive and capable units. Its primary mission is counterterrorism, but its skills go far beyond that.
The unit specialises in:
Delta Force operatives often act under the authority of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and work closely with the CIA and other elite organisations. Because of the unit’s secrecy, the Pentagon rarely confirms specific Delta Force missions.
The unit was formed in 1977, inspired by Britain’s Special Air Service. Its creator, Colonel Charles Beckwith, saw the need for an ultra-precise Army force capable of rapid internal response.
Over time, Delta Force earned a reputation for excellence. One of its most well-known missions came in 2019, when it led the operation that killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria.
Delta Force has also been involved in:
This unique experience makes it the go-to unit for high-risk, politically sensitive missions like the one now linked to Maduro’s capture.
Delta Force selects its members from elite Army units, such as:
Candidates must be serving personnel, meet strict rank requirements, and have significant time left on their enlistment. The selection and training process is extremely demanding, with a focus on physical skill, mental resilience, and operational precision.
Once accepted, operatives maintain secrecy throughout their careers. Their identities and missions are often classified for years.
If Delta Force did detain Maduro, it would mark one of the most high-profile uses of the unit in the Western Hemisphere. The operation’s strategic implications are huge:
Moreover, having US elite troops physically detain a sitting head of state would reshape how nations view both US power and the limits of military intervention.
At this stage, few official details exist about specific units involved. Trump’s statement and the released image are the closest confirmations so far. Venezuelan authorities have not issued a formal response about the reported capture.
As the situation unfolds, experts and foreign governments will be watching closely. The involvement of elite units like Delta Force adds complexity to an already tense situation and could influence how future military and diplomatic efforts play out in the region.
