ALBAWABA - Details surrounding the reported arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife remain unclear, but military analysts say the operation described by U.S. President Donald Trump would likely have involved elite American special forces, most notably U.S. Delta Force, operating in coordination with air and intelligence assets.
According to Trump’s statement, the arrest followed a large-scale U.S. military operation inside Venezuela that included airstrikes and rapid troop movements. While U.S. officials have not released operational details, security experts say such a mission would fit Delta Force’s profile, given its mandate to conduct high-risk capture operations against high-value targets.
Possible Operation Structure
Analysts say the operation may have unfolded in several phases. Initial airstrikes would have aimed to neutralize air defenses, disrupt command-and-control systems, and create confusion within Venezuelan security forces. Reports of explosions at military bases, airports, and strategic facilities in Caracas and along the coast support this assessment.
Following the airstrikes, Delta Force could have been deployed via helicopters, flying low to evade radar – a standard special operations maneuver. Reports of intense helicopter activity over Caracas support this possibility.
Upon landing, the special forces would have quickly advanced toward a secure site where Maduro was thought to be. These operations usually depend on accurate intelligence, including real-time surveillance, intercepted communications, and local informants.
Extraction and Transfer
Trump stated that Maduro and his wife were "flown out" of Venezuela, implying a swift extraction.
Military analysts speculate the captives were likely moved initially to a U.S. military base in the Caribbean or directly to a naval ship stationed nearby. From that point, they could be moved elsewhere, heavily guarded.
Tilt-rotor aircraft like the V-22 Osprey, frequently used in special operations, would enable rapid extraction over considerable distances, eliminating the need for a nearby airstrip.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
U.S. officials seem to be framing the operation as both a military achievement and a law enforcement matter. Washington might use Maduro's prior indictment in U.S. courts on drug trafficking charges as a legal basis for the arrest.
This dual framing echoes previous U.S. interventions, such as the 1989 Panama operation that resulted in the capture of Manuel Noriega.
Unverified Claims and Lingering Doubts
Venezuelan officials have vehemently rejected the U.S. assertions, labeling the operation an act of aggression and declaring a nationwide mobilization. Independent verification of the arrest remains elusive, and no images or official confirmation from U.S. defense authorities have been made public.
As events unfold, analysts caution that the absence of confirmed details allows for various scenarios, from a successful capture to a continuing military confrontation with uncertain repercussions for the region.
For the time being, the account of a Delta Force-led arrest is based solely on statements from U.S. officials and media reports, awaiting independent verification.
