An elite CIA unit known as ‘Ground Branch’ conducted covert operations to pave the way for Special Forces to infiltrate Nicolas Maduro’s stronghold in Venezuela, as reported by The Mirror.
Inserted into Caracas as early as August, the Ground Branch team, part of the CIA Special Activities Centre, monitored Maduro’s movements, mapped entry points for Army Delta Force commandos, and created a detailed profile on Maduro and his security detail to facilitate the mission.
Operating clandestinely, the team meticulously tracked Maduro’s movements, assessed building structures, identified secure areas, and planned routes for his security personnel. The tension escalated daily in Caracas, with the US Navy fleet positioned off the coast in preparation for potential action.
The operation culminated in the capture of Maduro, his wife, and associates during a high-intensity mission involving numerous warplanes and ships. Subsequently, Maduro and his wife appeared in a New York court to face charges related to narco-terrorism.
The Ground Branch unit comprises highly-trained operatives, including ex-Army Delta Force members and former Navy SEALs, renowned for their expertise in clandestine operations. Simultaneously, traditional CIA agents collaborated with defectors from the Maduro regime to gather vital intelligence.
This mission, marked by high risk and complexity, relied on defectors within the Venezuelan military and intelligence sectors to identify key targets. The prolonged undercover operation, considered a ‘black op,’ required the team to maintain discretion due to the sensitive nature of the mission.
Ground Branch, a top-secret and elite unit, recruits individuals from special forces backgrounds, providing intensive training in espionage techniques, source recruitment, and covert operations to operate effectively under the radar.
Established in response to the need for a specialized paramilitary group capable of executing sabotage, intelligence-gathering, and targeted missions, Ground Branch plays a pivotal role in covert operations globally.
Ground Branch operatives possess a diverse skill set, including proficiency in assassination, espionage, sabotage, handling agents, and mission planning, reflecting the unit’s strategic importance in modern warfare.
After the failed 1980 Operation Eagle Claw under President Jimmy Carter, paramilitary units like Ground Branch were developed to enhance the coordination between military services and intelligence agencies for more effective operations.
Comparatively, the UK’s equivalent to Ground Branch is the SAS ‘E Squadron,’ which collaborates closely with MI6 in intelligence and covert missions.