• Source:JND

Delta Force, one of the United States Army’s most secretive and elite special operations units, has come into sharp focus following reports that it carried out the operation leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had conducted what he described as a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, claiming the operation ended with Maduro being taken into custody and flown out of the country. The mission was carried out by Delta Force, the US military's top special mission unit, CBS News reported.

What Is Delta Force?

Delta Force is officially known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta, or 1st SFOD-D. It is widely regarded as the US military’s premier counterterrorism and direct-action unit. The force operates under the Joint Special Operations Command, or JSOC, which oversees the Pentagon’s most sensitive and high-risk missions.

Formed in 1977, Delta Force was created to give the US military a dedicated counterterrorism capability at a time when global threats were rapidly evolving. The unit was established by Colonel Charles Beckwith, who had earlier served with the British Special Air Service and sought to build a similar capability within the US Army.

Core Role And Missions

Delta Force specialises in missions that demand speed, secrecy, and precision. Its primary tasks include counterterrorism operations, hostage rescue, capture or elimination of high-value targets, and covert direct-action missions. Operators are trained to conduct raids and rescues across all terrains, from dense urban areas to remote hostile zones.

The unit is also believed to work closely with the CIA during sensitive overseas operations. In addition to combat missions, Delta Force has reportedly been tasked with providing close protection to senior US officials during visits to conflict-prone regions.

Structure And Training

Delta Force recruits are drawn from across the US Army, most commonly from the Special Forces and the 75th Ranger Regiment. Only serving soldiers are eligible, and the selection process is known to be among the most demanding in the military.

Candidates undergo weeks of physical and mental testing, including long-distance marches under heavy load and navigation exercises in harsh conditions. Those who pass are sent to an intensive Operators Training Course, where they are trained in close-quarters combat, marksmanship, explosives, surveillance, and covert entry techniques.

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Very little about Delta Force’s operations is officially acknowledged. Many of its missions remain classified for decades, if they are ever confirmed at all. Over the years, the unit has been linked to several high-profile operations, including missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, though details often emerge only through media reports or later disclosures.

In the case of Venezuela, reports suggest Delta Force carried out the operation that led to Maduro’s detention, following years of US sanctions and legal action against him. Maduro was indicted in a US court in 2020 on charges related to alleged narco-terrorism.

ALSO READ: 'Ground Shook, Planes Roared': Caracas Residents Describe Horror, Share Chilling Visuals As US Strikes Hit Venezuela | Watch

As geopolitical tensions rise, Delta Force’s reported role in Venezuela underscores how the US continues to rely on elite special operations units for missions that sit at the intersection of military force, intelligence and foreign policy.


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