CARACAS, Venezuela.Dec 03 – The United States has carried out a daring overnight military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in what marks the most significant direct American intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
President Donald Trump announced the news in the early hours, declaring that a “large-scale strike” had been successfully executed, with Maduro and his wife “captured and flown out of the country”.
Capture of Maduro and First Lady
US officials confirmed to American networks that the raid was conducted by the elite Delta Force, the Army’s premier special operations unit. Sources familiar with the operation said Maduro and his wife were seized from their residence in Caracas during a swift helicopter assault, supported by airstrikes on key military sites.
The couple are en route to New York, where they face long-standing indictments on charges of narco-terrorism and related offences. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that they would “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil”.
More: https://londonpost.news/venezuela-seeks-proof-of-life-as-maduro-and-first-lady-reported-missing/
Role of Delta Force
Delta Force, formally known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, is a highly secretive unit specialising in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and the apprehension of high-value targets.
Established in 1977 in response to rising global terrorism, the unit has a storied history including the capture of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019, and operations in Iraq, Somalia, and Latin America – notably pursuits of Pablo Escobar and Manuel Noriega.
Operating from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, its members – known as “operators” – undergo rigorous training for missions requiring precision and minimal footprint. The unit’s involvement underscores the high-risk nature of the Venezuela operation.
Background and Escalation
The strike follows months of intensifying US pressure on the Maduro regime, accused by Washington of running a “narco-state” and electoral fraud. Recent actions included naval interdictions in the Caribbean, drone strikes on suspected drug facilities, and a substantial military build-up in the region.
Mr Trump had repeatedly warned of decisive action, framing it as part of an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.
Venezuelan and International Reaction
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated that the government had no information on Maduro’s whereabouts and demanded “proof of life”. The regime denounced the operation as “grave military aggression” and declared a state of emergency.
Allies including Russia, Iran, and Cuba condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty, while some Latin American leaders expressed concern over escalation. Opposition figures and exiles celebrated the development.
The situation remains fluid, with questions over Venezuela’s interim leadership and the broader implications for regional stability.
