In a bold and high-stakes operation, President Donald Trump announced that Delta Force, the U.S. Army’s most elite counterterrorism unit, successfully executed a covert mission in Venezuela. This operation culminated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, marking a significant shift in the region’s political landscape.
Delta Force, officially designated as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta, is renowned for its expertise in high-risk operations. These missions often involve capturing or eliminating high-value targets, demanding a high degree of speed, secrecy, and precision. The unit’s reputation for handling sensitive and strategically significant operations precedes it, making it the go-to force for such critical missions.
This elite unit operates under the umbrella of the U.S. Special Operations Command, stepping into action when missions carry substantial political or strategic importance. Based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, a central hub for U.S. Army special operations training, Delta Force has a storied history. The unit played a pivotal role in the 2003 capture of Saddam Hussein and has been instrumental in numerous counterterrorism operations across Afghanistan and the Middle East, particularly targeting senior figures within al-Qaeda.
Adding to their mystique, both the identity of Delta Force’s commanding officer and the exact size of the unit remain classified, ensuring that their operations stay shrouded in secrecy.
In a related visual note, U.S. military personnel were recently seen aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, docked at Rafael Cordero Santiago Port of the Americas in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on December 16, 2025. This image, captured by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo via Getty Images, underscores the ongoing presence and readiness of U.S. military forces in the region.
Delta Force is commanded by a senior Army officer, but the identity of the unit’s leader is also kept classified, as is the exact size of the unit.
It is unclear how many members took part in the Venezuela operation.
During the raid, U.S. Army helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the “Night Stalkers,” flew the special operations forces into Venezuela, officials said.
At least seven explosions were heard in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and low-flying aircraft were seen over the city at about 2 a.m. local time, according to reports.
The CIA provided intelligence to the Department of War that helped guide Delta Force to Maduro and his wife, whom President Donald Trump said were apprehended during the U.S. military operation.
Officials emphasized that while the CIA played a critical role in tracking and locating Maduro, U.S. military special operations forces carried out the physical capture.
Smoke rises from Fort Tiuna, the main military garrison in Caracas, Venezuela, after multiple explosions were heard and aircraft swept through the area, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Trump told “FOX & Friends Weekend” early Saturday that U.S. military personnel involved in the operation “did an incredible job.”
“They rehearsed and practiced like nobody’s ever seen,” Trump said. “And I was told by real military people that there’s no other country on earth that could do such a maneuver.”
Trump said he watched the operation unfold in real time.
“The whole maneuver of the landings, the number of aircraft — which were massive — the number of helicopters, different types of helicopters, different types of fighter jets,” Trump said. “We had a fighter jet for every possible situation.”
“They just broke in and they broke into places that were not really able to be broken into,” he added. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Trump said Maduro was inside a fortified residence but was captured before he could reach a secure area.
Maduro and his wife were taken aboard the USS Iwo Jima and are expected to be transported to the United States. (Getty Images)
Trump also said there were injuries during the operation but no U.S. fatalities and no aircraft losses.
Maduro and his wife were taken aboard the USS Iwo Jima and are expected to be transported to the United States, where they could appear in federal court in New York City as soon as Monday, Fox News has learned.
