US Delta Force Maduro Capture: Why Beijing Sees a 'Textbook' Strike for Taiwan

A single precision strike in South America is sending shockwaves through the halls of power in Beijing. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Chinese military analysts are closely studying the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as a 'textbook' operation that could have profound implications for future conflicts in Taiwan.

The US Delta Force Maduro Capture: A Textbook Tactical Strike

On Saturday, Jan 3, 2026, the US Army’s elite Delta Force executed a high-stakes mission in Caracas. US officials reported that the operation involved more than 150 military aircraft, including drones and bombers, used to dismantle Venezuela’s air defenses. Simultaneously, cyber operations disabled the power grid across Caracas, clearing a path for special forces to extract Maduro with minimal casualties.

Chinese aviation analyst Fu Qianshao described the planning as 'highly refined.' The mission wasn't just a sudden raid; it was the culmination of months of intense rehearsals and a massive military build-up, including the strategic positioning of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier in the Caribbean.

Implications for the Taiwan Strait

The timing is critical as Beijing’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has recently signaled its own capacity to target Taiwan’s leadership through large-scale drills. Analysts suggest this operation serves as a dual-edged warning: it demonstrates the US's reach to 'separatist forces' in Taiwan while providing a tactical blueprint that the PLA itself might look to emulate for its own strategic goals.