The U.S. operation in which elite members of the Delta Force reportedly entered Caracas and removed sitting President Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, from the country has no contemporary historical precedent.

According to the BBC, the closest historical parallel is the arrest of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, also carried out by U.S. special forces, in 1989. In both cases, the leaders had recently declared victory in disputed elections, were accused by the United States of involvement in drug trafficking, and were preceded by significant U.S. military buildups in the wider region.

However, the Noriega case followed a short but decisive war between the two countries, during which Panamanian forces collapsed rapidly. Noriega fled to the Vatican embassy, where he remained for eleven days.

From Noriega to Maduro: How the U.S. removed a sitting president from his country

Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega after his arrest by U.S. forces in 1990. Photo: Getty Images / Ideal Image

He was eventually persuaded to surrender following the use of “psychological warfare,” most notably the continuous blasting of loud rock music, including songs by The Clash, Van Halen, and U2. He was then transferred to the United States, where he was convicted on drug-related charges.

Details of the operation targeting Nicolás Maduro have not yet been made public. All indications suggest a mission even more ambitious in planning and execution, as it reportedly succeeded in removing the president and his wife without deploying conventional ground forces.

His fate remains unclear; however, if the reports are confirmed, it is believed that the case could ultimately end in a U.S. correctional facility.