Greek-American Delta Force Deputy Commander & Operation Absolute Resolve

Greek-American Colonel Chris Kountouriotis is the deputy commander of Delta Force, under the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). He oversees high-risk missions, including counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.

In the Delta Force operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, named Operation Absolute Resolve, Kountouriotis reportedly led the raid in Caracas. The mission involved a helicopter insertion, airstrikes, and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Kountouriotis is a U.S. Special Forces officer from San Francisco. He has served in USSOCOM units for 16 years, with experience in Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. He holds a Master's degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.

Operation “Absolute Resolve” involved over 150 aircraft and the destruction of air defense systems. The landing took place at 2:01 a.m. local time on January 3, 2026. Maduro and his wife were arrested and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima. The CIA, NSA, and NGA contributed to the operation.