The Night Stalkers, the special military unit of the US, observed just 90 miles off the coast of Venezuela. This recent sighting has contributed to fears of a potential U.S.-backed regime change and military intervention in the South American country. The elite group is known as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). They are particularly good at conducting discreet operations, often at night, to insert and extract special operations forces from enemy territory.
The Night Stalkers were created in 1981. They’ve created a fearsome reputation even in the face of some of the most lethal missions in U.S. military history. Their unofficial motto, “Death Waits in the Dark,” summarizes well their TTPs of obscure operation and direct ambush warfare. Over the years, they have played key roles during many high-profile missions. Among these are the invasion of Grenada in 1983, the toppling of dictator Manuel Noriega in Panama in 1989, and the mission that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.
The Night Stalkers’ recent training exercises in the Caribbean coincide with rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela under President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Even more alarming has been the military… As the year began… Today, many are concerned about an impending U.S. invasion or U.S. attempts to unseat the regime in Venezuela. According to experts, the current state is already very dangerous and may continue to spiral out of control.
Steven Hartov, an expert on military operations, remarked on the capabilities of the Night Stalkers, stating, “They basically deliver [special forces] and extract them into impossible places … at night.” He emphasized their unique skill set, saying, “When there’s a mission… that appears to be impossible because of the location or the [enemy’s] defenses – whether it be extracting a high-value target or knocking out a particular dangerous target – the Night Stalkers are the only ones who can deliver.”
During Operation Inherent Resolve, the Night Stalkers are essential in fighting threats from groups including the Islamic State. They further ski down the slopes of Mogadishu as they fight Somali warlords in Operation Gothic Serpent. Their pilots are as savvy as they come, flying distinctive egg-shaped Little Bird attack helicopters and Black Hawks. This dramatically increases their operational efficiency.
As U.S. military assets have amassed around Venezuela, fears have arisen about what such a posture would mean for Maduro’s regime. Eva Golinger, an attorney and political analyst with expertise on Venezuelan affairs, articulated her concern. “If there was a ‘probability of US military action in Venezuela’ radar, I would say it’s definitely leaning past the 75% probability at this stage,” she stated. “I’m waiting for the text in the middle of the night or the call that [there has been] … some type of US incursion inside [Venezuela] or selective bombing.”
Moreover, Golinger characterized Venezuela’s current situation as dire: “Venezuela is in the eye… and it’s pretty terrifying.” Samuel Moncada, Venezuela’s ambassador to the United Nations, echoed these fears, asserting, “They’re coming for an invasion … to take away our country and turn us into a colony.”
These signals have recently been dialed up another notch by the U.S. government. This is welcomed in light of overwhelming evidence of systematic human rights violations and economic mismanagement under the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The military’s positioning is viewed by many as a show of force aimed at deterring Maduro’s actions while signaling support for opposition movements within the country.
Hartov is clear about the historical precedent for such interventions, drawing a line back to the use of similar tactics in other modern conflicts. They did so with Noriega – and the Night Stalkers were deeply involved in that. They completed that mission in the hot desert sun and heat with Saddam Hussein – the Night Stalkers were a part of that. That’s how they got Osama bin Laden,” he said.
He commented on the psychological impact this development may have on Maduro and his administration: “I would be nervous if I were [Maduro].” The prospect of a specialized Venezuelan military unit operating even remotely near U.S. waters should worry all of us. It leaves open a big question of what U.S. plans to do going forward.