The year 2026 began with an event that astonished the entire world – the swift apprehension and transfer of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to the United States. Thus, on January 3, US leader Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife had been apprehended and removed from the country, and would be prosecuted in court on charges of several serious crimes.
One of the key notable nuances regarding the operation was its effective outcome in a short period. Maduro's apprehension was carried out within 2 hours by “Delta Force,” considered among the Pentagon's elite special forces. “Delta Force” has previously conducted operations in several countries and has been able to apprehend heads of state.
So, what makes “Delta Force” special? What other operations has it conducted to date? Have all of “Delta Force”'s operations truly been successful?
Modern.az presents its research on all these nuances:
When and why was “Delta Force” established?
"Delta Force" was established on November 19, 1977, as part of the US Army. The main reason for the establishment of “Delta Force” was the increasing international terrorism in the 1970s and the US's need for a “special,” “agile,” and “highly professional” force against such crises.
In particular, the killing of Israeli athletes by terrorists at the 1972 Munich Olympics, as well as the successful operations of elite special forces like the British SAS operating in Europe, demonstrated to the US leadership that classic army units were insufficient for combating terrorism.
Delta Force was formed for the following tasks:
-hostage rescue
-direct action against terrorists
-neutralization of high-value targets (HVT)
-covert and high-risk special missions
The establishment of the unit was led by Colonel Charlie Beckwith (Charles Beckwith), and its structure was primarily based on the British SAS model.
Operations conducted by “Delta Force”
“Delta Force” is not intended for daily military tasks, but for special operations whose outcomes have strategic and political impact. For this reason, the history of “Delta Force” includes both high-level successes and failures that led to serious consequences.
Successful Operations
The successful missions of “Delta Force” are primarily characterized by precision, speed, and the ability to make decisions within a limited time window.
The special operation carried out in 1989 is considered a classic example in this regard. The main objective of this mission, executed within the framework of the Panama operations, was the liberation of American hostage Kurt Muse, who was held under the regime of Manuel Noriega, known for his anti-US stance. As a result of the coordinated efforts of “Delta Force” and Navy SEAL units, Muse was safely rescued. The operation is regarded as a successful model in terms of rapid planning and execution in an urban environment.
During the Gulf War in 1991, the role of “Delta Force” was more related to strategic reconnaissance and operations in high-risk areas than direct combat. The unit participated in covert missions carried out to locate and neutralize “Scud” missiles in Iraqi territory. These operations played a crucial role in maintaining the air superiority of coalition forces.
In 1993, "Delta Force" also conducted a significant operation in Mogadishu, Somalia. The primary task of “Delta Force” was to capture the leaders of local armed groups. Although the operation turned into a more severe confrontation than expected, “Delta Force”'s discipline in combat conditions and the personnel's instinct to protect each other remained a notable example in the history of special operations. Despite being accompanied by tactical difficulties, this event led to doctrinal changes regarding the conduct of special forces units in urban environments.
After 2001, during the “War on Terror,” “Delta Force” participated in numerous covert missions against “Al-Qaeda” and Taliban structures in Afghanistan and Iraq. Although a large portion of these operations remains undisclosed, it is known that the unit was one of the primary executive forces in tracking and neutralizing high-value targets.
The "Barisha Raid" carried out in 2019 is considered one of the most notable operations demonstrating “Delta Force”'s capabilities in the modern era. In this mission against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, “Delta Force” covertly entered the operation area by helicopters. During the operation, al-Baghdadi ended his life by detonating himself.
And, of course, the operation conducted against the Venezuelan President on January 3 was successful for "Delta Force". As a result of the operation, which lasted less than a day, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was taken to the US.
Failures and Limitations
The activities of “Delta Force” are not measured solely by successes. On the contrary, its failures throughout history have played a decisive role in the restructuring of the US special operations system.
The "Eagle Claw" operation in 1980 is considered the most serious failure in the history of “Delta Force”. This operation, planned to free 52 Americans held at the US embassy in Iran, was aborted due to technical malfunctions, poor coordination, and a complex command structure. As a result, 8 American servicemen died. This fiasco directly influenced the creation of new command structures within the US military.
The Mogadishu operation also revealed tactical problems. The downing of two helicopters and the unexpected urban combat scenario demonstrated, alongside “Delta Force”'s professionalism, how volatile and uncontrollable high-risk operations can be.
Current Areas of Activity
Today, the activities of “Delta Force” are primarily focused on the following areas:
-high-risk counter-terrorism operations
-hostage rescue missions
-tracking and neutralization of hostile state and extremist leaders
-strategic reconnaissance and covert military activities
The operational history of “Delta Force” indicates that both its successes and failures demonstrate the significant role "Delta Force" plays in US security strategy.
