According to Trump, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and taken out of the country during the operation. The mission, he said, was executed by the US Army's elite Delta Force unit.

Trump claimed there were no American casualties, describing the operation as swift, precise, and highly coordinated. The announcement has shocked the world and triggered intense global debate, with supporters calling it decisive action and critics warning of serious international consequences.

Who Are the Delta Force?

Delta Force, officially known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, is considered the most secretive and dangerous special operations unit of the US Army. It operates under the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and is deployed only for the highest-risk and most sensitive missions.

While the unit is believed to have over 1,000 members in total, only about 250 to 300 are frontline combat operators. The rest provide intelligence, logistics, aviation, medical, and technical support.

Extreme Selection and Training

Getting into Delta Force is exceptionally difficult. Candidates go through one of the toughest selection processes in the military. Months of long-distance marches, land navigation, weapons handling, and psychological tests push soldiers to their limits. Only about 10 to 15 percent make it through.

Those selected then undergo a six-month Operator Training Course. This includes close-quarters combat, advanced shooting, sniping, explosives, covert movement, and VIP protection. The training focuses on operating silently, often at night, deep inside enemy territory.

Weapons and Capabilities

Delta Force operators use some of the most advanced and customized weapons in the world. Their primary rifle is the HK416, known for reliability in close and long-range combat. Sidearms often include the Glock 19 or customized Colt M1911 pistols. For special missions, they use MP5 submachine guns and long-range sniper rifles like the Remington MSR or Mk-22, capable of accurate fire up to 1,500 meters.

Night vision devices, suppressors, drones, and special ammunition are standard. Operators often modify weapons themselves to suit specific missions.

Types of Missions

Delta Force specializes in direct action raids, high-value target capture or kill missions, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and secret reconnaissance. It was formed in 1977 after the Iran hostage crisis, with hostage rescue as a core role. Many of its operations are never officially acknowledged, earning it a reputation for "black ops."

Past Operations

Some past missions linked to Delta Force include the 1989 capture of Panama's General Manuel Noriega, the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, and operations against ISIS leaders, including Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019. The Venezuela operation is being compared to the Panama mission due to its scale and political impact.

Global Reaction and Tensions

The US has long accused Maduro of drug trafficking and criminal links. Venezuela has sought support from Russia, China, and Cuba, while its defense minister has warned against foreign military presence. International reactions are mixed, with condemnation from several countries and cautious support from others.