Every US state has a capitol that houses its state legislature.
Many state capitols are domed buildings similar to the US Capitol, but others are more unique.
Maryland’s State House is the oldest capitol in continuous legislative use in the US.
A state’s capitol can tell you a lot about its history and government.
Many state capitols feature references to their locations, like Kansas’ statue of a Kansa warrior atop its dome, or the New Hampshire State House, which was built with locally sourced granite.
Every capitol has a unique look and distinct origin, and you can learn more about them here.
Montgomery, Alabama
UNITED STATES – MARCH 15: Capitol building, Montgomery, Alabama
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Alabama’s capitol is where the Confederacy began, and there’s a brass star on one of the porticos marking the spot where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as its president, according to the Alabama Historical Commission.
The building that stands today was constructed in 1851, after a fire burned down the original building in 1849, according to the Alabama Historical Commission.
One of the more famous parts of the capitol grounds is the Avenue of Flags. It has the flag of every state plus a native rock from each state at each flag’s base. It was dedicated in 1968, according to Exploring Montgomery.
Juneau, Alaska
Alaska’s capitol in Juneau.
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The Alaska State Capitol, completed in 1931, doesn’t look much different from any other office building in Juneau, save the marble columns. According to Alaska’s official website, it is one of few state capitols to not feature a dome.
As The New York Times reported in 1981, neither the building nor the location were popular with locals — both were chosen because the residents of Alaska had to fund construction themselves — but efforts to move the capitol have failed, even though a vote passed to move the location in the ’70s.
As recently as 2022, Alaskan senators sponsored a bill to move the capital, this time to Willow, reported Alaska Public Media, but for now, Juneau remains the Last Frontier’s capital city.
Phoenix, Arizona
PHOENIX ARIZONA, Replica of Liberty Bell in front of Arizona State Capitol Building at sunrise.
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Arizona’s capitol was dedicated in 1901. It stopped being the home of the legislative branches of government in 1960 — and by 1978, all government officials had been moved to other buildings nearby in an area called the Capitol Complex.
The original building was then officially converted into a museum that anyone can visit.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Arkansas State Capitol building front entrance in Little Rock.
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Arkansas’ capitol took 16 years to complete. Construction lasted from 1899 to 1915, and the building was designed by architects George R. Mann and Cass Gilbert, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
This building replaced the State House, which is now the Old State House Museum, according to Arkansas Heritage.
Sacramento, California
SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 9: The California state Capitol building is shown October 9, 2003 in downtown Sacramento, California. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger won in his bid to replace California Gov. Gray Davis, who was recalled in a special election October 7.
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The building was constructed between 1860 and 1874, and designed by Reuben S. Clark. It has been listed as a California Historical Landmark since 1974, according to the Historic State Capitol Commission.
Its design was based on the US Capitol in Washington, DC, among other well-known American buildings, according to the State of California Capitol Museum.
The California State Capitol is located inside the 40-acre Capitol Park, which contains trees from around the world, a World Peace Rose Garden, and the Civil War Memorial Grove.
Denver, Colorado
DENVER – APRIL 20: Marijuana smoke rises from a smoking crowd April 20, 2010 at a pro-pot “4/20” celebration in front of the state capitol building in Denver, Colorado. April 20th has become a de facto holiday for marijuana advocates, with large gatherings and ‘smoke outs’ in many parts of the United States. Colorado, one of 14 states to allow use of medical marijuana, has experienced an explosion in marijuana dispensaries, trade shows and related businesses in the last year as marijuana use has become more mainstream.
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The Colorado Capitol, which was completed in 1901, was also designed to look like the US Capitol, but with a Colorado twist: The dome is covered in real gold leaf donated by gold miners to reference the Colorado Gold Rush from 1858 to 1861, according to the Colorado General Assembly.
Hartford, Connecticut
Connecticut State Capitol. The building houses the Connecticut General Assembly; the upper house, the State Senate, and lower house, the House of Representatives, as well as the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
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The current Connecticut State Capitol is actually the third capitol the state has had since the American Revolution. This one, designed by Richard M. Upjohn, opened in 1879, according to Connecticut’s official state website.
The golden dome is surrounded by six pairs of statues representing agriculture, commerce, education and law, force and war, science and justice, and music, according to the State Capitol Preservation & Restoration Commission.
Dover, Delaware
The Legislative Hall in Dover, Delaware, USA, circa 1960.
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The Delaware Legislative Hall was dedicated in 1933 and replaced the Old State House, which is opposite the Hall on the capitol mall. It was designed in the Colonial Revival style by E. William Martin, according to Delaware’s official state website.
Washington, DC
WASHINGTON – JUNE 5: The U.S. Capitol is shown June 5, 2003 in Washington, DC. Both houses of the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives meet in the Capitol.
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The United States Capitol is located on Capitol Hill in DC. It was in construction for decades, partially destroyed in 1814, and then finally finished in 1829, according to Architect of the Capitol. The famous, gigantic dome was later added during an expansive addition in 1855, designed by Thomas U. Walter.
Atop the dome sits the “Statue of Freedom,” a 19-foot statue of a woman wearing a battle helmet, holding a sheathed sword in one hand, and a laurel wreath and shield in the other. She’s been there since 1863, according to Architect of the Capitol.
Tallahassee, Florida
TALLAHASSEE, FL – NOVEMBER 10: A view of the Florida State Capitol building on November 10, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Three close midtern election races for governor, senator, and agriculture commissioner are expected to be recounted in Florida.
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The current capitol, also called the New Capitol, is located directly in front of the original — together, they form the Capitol Complex. The New Capitol was built in 1977 by architect Edward Durell Stone and the firm of Reynolds, Smith, and Hills, according to the Florida Capitol website.
The website reports the building was designed in an “international style to reflect a modern Florida,” and includes a 22-story central tower.
The Old Capitol still stands, and it was restored to its original 1902 glory in the ’80s. Currently, the building is the Florida Historic Capitol Museum.
Atlanta, Georgia
Sunlight gleams on the golden dome of the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Georgia’s capitol was finished in 1889 and designed by Willoughby J. Edbrooke and Franklin P. Burnham, according to the city of Atlanta’s website. It sits on the site of the former Atlanta City Hall/Fulton County Courthouse, which was there from 1854 to 1994.
According to the city, it’s one of 43 National Historic Landmarks in the state.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii State Capitol. The Capitol building houses the Hawaii State Legislature (Senate and House of Representatives) and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governo
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At the dedication of the Hawaiian capitol in 1969, then-Governor John A. Burns explained the design of the building, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported.
“In this great State Capitol there are no doors at the grand entrances which open toward the mountains and toward the sea,” he said. “There is no roof or dome to separate its vast inner court from the heavens and from the same eternal stars which guided the first voyagers to the primeval beauty of these shores.”
The building is also surrounded by a reflecting pool meant to symbolize the Pacific Ocean, which surrounds the chain of 137 recognized islands that make up Hawaii, according to the State of Hawaii.
Boise, Idaho
The Idaho State Capitol building in Boise home of the government of the state of Idaho
Idaho’s capitol was designed by architects J.E. Tourtellotte and Charles Hummel, and was constructed between 1905 and 1920. According to Idaho’s Capitol Commission, it’s the only capitol in the US that is heated by geothermal water. It comes from a spring 3,000 feet underground.
Springfield, Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, IL – APRIL 9: The Illinois State Capitol building stands among empty streets in Springfield, Illinois on April 9, 2020
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According to a pamphlet by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, the current capitol (the state’s sixth) was completed in 1888, 20 years after crews broke ground. At the time of its construction, the limestone dome was illuminated by 144 gas jets. However, the carbon emitted by those jets eventually turned the dome black.
It took 100 years, but it was finally cleaned in 1986.
Indianapolis, Indiana
State capitol building in downtown Indianapolis Indiana on a sunny spring morning, Indianapolis is the capital city of Indiana and is located in the center of the state with the capitol building located downtown.
According to the Indiana Department of Administration, Indiana’s capitol was completed in 1888, and is home to all executive offices, the Indiana State Senate, the Indiana House of Representatives, and the Indiana State Supreme Court, among others. It was constructed with Indiana limestone.
Des Moines, Iowa
UNITED STATES – AUGUST 28: Capitol building, Des Moines, Iowa
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The large golden dome is 23 carats, and the entire building is 275 feet tall, according to a visitor’s guide. It’s been re-gilded four times since its construction in 1886.
Overall, Iowa’s capitol has a total of five domes, making it the only capitol in the US with five.
Topeka, Kansas
State Capitol of Kansas, Topeka
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Kansas’ capitol dome is topped with a statue called “Ad astra” (Latin for “to the stars”), which is part of the state’s motto, “ad astra per aspera” (“to the stars through difficulties”), according to the Kansas Historical Society.
The statue itself is a bronze depiction of a warrior from the Kansa tribe (also known as the Kaw Nation or Kanza), who call Kansas home and gave the state its name.
The entire building took 37 years to construct, also according to the Kansas Historical Society, from 1866 to 1903.
Frankfort, Kentucky
FRANKFORT, KY – APRIL 2: Thousands of public school teachers and their supporters protest against a pension reform bill at the Kentucky State Capitol April 2, 2018 in Frankfort, Kentucky. The teachers are calling for higher wages and are demanding that Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin veto a bill that overhauls their pension plan.
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Kentucky’s capitol was designed by Frank Mills Andrews, according to Kentucky’s official state website. There are also statues lining the front portico that represent Kentucky, the central figure, with Progress, History, Plenty, Law, Art, and Labor as her “attendants,” according to the state website.
The current building is the fourth capitol in the state, and it was completed in 1910.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The capitol of Louisiana, seat of government, is a building of 34 floors and 135 meters high, which makes it the highest capitol of the United States. It is also the highest building of Louisiana. Its style is connected with that of the old New York skyscrapers. This new capitol was built between 1930 and 1932.
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The Louisiana Capitol is just one of nine capitols in the US that doesn’t feature a dome — and at 450 feet tall (or 34 floors), it’s also the tallest capitol in the country, according to Louisiana’s House of Representatives.
It was dedicated in 1932, without the person who had spearheaded the effort to build it, Senator Huey P. Long, a controversial figure in Louisiana’s history, as reported by Encyclopedia Britannica.
Augusta, Maine
Staff photo by Joe Phelan — For slide show about the Statehouse in Augusta.
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The capital of Maine was originally Portland when the state broke away from Massachusetts in 1820. But when Mainers asked for a more centrally located capital city, Augusta was chosen in 1827, according to the Maine State Legislature. The building was completed by 1832.
The State House’s dome is topped with a female figure of Wisdom, which was designed by sculptor W. Clark Noble of Gardiner, a town 6 miles from Augusta.
Annapolis, Maryland
Maryland State House, state capitol building, Annapolis, Maryland, exterior view.
Maryland’s State House is the oldest capitol in continuous legislative use in the US, built in 1779, according to its official website. It’s also the only state capitol to have once served as the US capitol when the Continental Congress met there from 1783 to 1784, according to the website.
Boston, Massachusetts
The Old State House for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State Capitol Building, Boston, Mass.
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The Massachusetts State House, built in 1789, originally had a wooden dome, but Paul Revere’s own company was responsible for covering it in copper in 1802, CBS News reported.
And the land it was built on? It used to be owned by none other than John Hancock, who was Massachusetts’ first elected governor.
Lansing, Michigan
August 1970. Lansing, Michigan. Exterior view of the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing.
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The floors of Michigan’s capitol, which was dedicated in 1879, are made of limestone and have visible fossils in them, as you can see on the capitol’s official website.
St. Paul, Minnesota
ST. PAUL, MN – OCTOBER 15: Minnesota State Capitol Building in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 15, 2018.
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According to Explore Minnesota, the state’s capitol is the second-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world, only behind St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Architect Cass Gilbert insisted on using Georgia marble for the dome, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. Some were critical of using out-of-state materials, so as a compromise, the contractor leased the quarry in Georgia and imported the rough marble so Minnesotans could do the work in-state.
It took nine years, but was completed in 1905.
Jackson, Mississippi
Protesters (L) gather outside the Mississippi State Capitol building during the state legislature’s historic vote to change the Mississippi flag in Jackson, Mississippi on June 28, 2020. – Lawmakers in Mississippi voted on June 28 to remove the Confederate battle standard from the state flag, after nationwide protests drew renewed attention to symbols of the United States’ racist past.
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Designed by architect Theodore Link and constructed between 1901 and 1903, Mississippi’s state capitol was built on the site of an old state penitentiary, according to the state capitol’s official website. The building spans 171,000 square feet and features 4,750 original electric light fixtures, as well as an 8-foot statue of an eagle on the top of its dome.
Jefferson City, Missouri
8/31/1970- Jefferson City, MO- ORIGINAL CAPTION READS: Exterior views of the Missouri State Capitol building, include the surrounding trees and lawn.
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Missouri’s state capitol was completed in 1917, according to its official website. Ceres, the goddess of grain, sits at the top of its dome.
In addition to Missouri’s state legislature, the 500,000-square-foot building houses the Missouri State Museum with exhibits about the state’s history and natural resources.
The main building of Montana’s state capitol was completed in 1902, and its two wings were added in 1911 and 1912, according to the Montana Historical Society. Inside, the building features works of art such as the mural “Lewis and Clark Meeting Indians at Ross’ Hole,” painted by Charles M. Russell in 1912.
Lincoln, Nebraska
tate capitol building in Lincoln Nebraska on a sunny spring day and emphasizing the buildings tall central tower and dome, Lincoln, the capital city of Nebraska, is located in the southeastern part of the state along Interstate-80. The state legislature in Nebraska is the only unicameral legislature among all of the states.
Nebraska’s state capitol was designed by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue and completed in 1932, according to its official website. The 400-foot tower is topped with a 19-foot bronze statue called “The Sower.”
It is the only state legislature to be unicameral, meaning it only has one chamber.
Carson City, Nevada
State Capitol of Nevada, Carson City
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Nevada’s state capitol was built from 1870 to 1871 out of sandstone sourced from a quarry belonging to Abe Curry, the founder of Carson City, according to Travel Nevada. It features a silver-colored dome, a nod to Nevada’s nickname as “the silver state.”
Concord, New Hampshire
State Capitol of New Hampshire, Concord
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The New Hampshire State House was constructed between 1816 and 1819 with locally sourced granite from Rattlesnake Hill in Concord, according to the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources.
In 1818, a wooden sculpture of an eagle painted with gold was installed on top of the capitol dome. It was replaced with a copper replica in 1957, but the original sculpture can be viewed on display inside the capitol, according to EverGreene, the architecture firm that restored the State House’s gold-plated dome.
Trenton, New Jersey
TRENTON, NJ – JUNE 24: New Jersey State Capitol Building, New Jersey Flags Fly at Half Staff in Honor of Actor James Gandolfini on June 24, 2013 in Trenton, New Jersey.Gandolfini passed away on June 19, 2013 at the age of 51 while on vacation in Rome, Italy.
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After Maryland, New Jersey State House is the second-oldest capitol still in use, completed in 1792, according to the state of New Jersey’s official website. Much of the original building, designed by architect Jonathan Doane, was destroyed in a fire in 1885.
Architect Lewis Broome restored the capitol and added a cast-iron dome plated with copper and gold and featuring the Latin phrase “Fiat Justitia Ruat Coelum,” meaning “There must be justice even though the heavens fall.”
Santa Fe, New Mexico
SANTA FE, NM – FEBRUARY 10, 2012: The New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe, known as the Roundhouse, is the only round capitol building in the U.S.
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New Mexico’s capitol, known as the Roundhouse, is the only round capitol in the US, according to Santa Fe’s official tourist website. Architect Willard C. Kruger modeled the design after the Zia sun symbol, which he also incorporated into the capitol rotunda skylight. The symbol is also part of New Mexico’s state flag.
Albany, New York
ALBANY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – 2018/10/09: New York State Capitol Building.
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When New York’s state capitol in Albany was finally finished after 32 years in 1899, it was at a cost of $25 million, making it one of the most expensive government projects in the US. In 2013, The New York Times reported the figure was equivalent to more than half a billion dollars today.
Inside the granite building, visitors can find 25 murals by William deLeftwich Dodge in the Governor’s Reception Room.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Law enforcement stand guard outside of the state capitol building in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, on January 17, 2021, during a nationwide protest called by anti-government and far-right groups supporting US President Donald Trump and his claim of electoral fraud in the November 3 presidential election. – The FBI warned authorities in all 50 states to prepare for armed protests at state capitals in the days leading up to the January 20 presidential inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
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Completed in 1840, North Carolina’s 3-story capitol includes a copper dome, according to the National Park Service.
Bismarck, North Dakota
Photo taken August 18, 2013 shows the state Capitol building of North Dakota at Bismarck
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North Dakota’s state capitol is the tallest building in the state at 241 feet and 8 inches tall, according to the official government website. The Art-Deco structure is nicknamed the “Skyscraper on the Prairie,” according to the Society of Architecture Historians.
Columbus, Ohio
Aerial of Capitol Building, Downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Construction of the Ohio Statehouse took over 20 years, from 1839 to 1861, according to its official website. Much of the work was done by prisoners at Ohio Penitentiary, some of whom left graffiti on the walls that was uncovered during restoration work, the website says. Built in the Greek-Revival architecture style out of Columbus limestone, the Statehouse is a designated National Historic Landmark.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Capitol building was built in 1917. The beautiful dome was added in recent years. When the state erected the building it lacked the funding to build the planned dome, and therefore it went without for decades. Oklahoma City has been the state capital since 1910; Guthrie was the capital of Oklahoma from 1890 to 1910.
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Built in 1917, the dome on Oklahoma’s capitol was added more recently, in 2002, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society — it was left out of the original construction due to costs. The grounds of Oklahoma’s capitol also had active oil rigs until 1986. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Salem, Oregon
Oregon’s state capitol building in Salem.
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Oregon’s Art Deco capitol is made of white Vermont marble with a gold statue of an “Oregon Pioneer” atop the dome, according to the capitol’s official website. In-person guided tours are paused due to construction.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES – 2015/10/06: Pennsylvania State capitol building
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Pennsylvania’s capitol, designed by architect Joseph Huston, cost $13 million to build when it was completed in 1906, which would be over $403 million today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The building’s 272-foot dome is decorated with green glazed terra cotta tile, according to the capitol’s official website.
Providence, Rhode Island
Rhode Island, Providence, State House, State Capitol.
The Rhode Island State House, built between 1895 and 1904, features the fourth-largest freestanding marble dome in the world, according to the Rhode Island Restoration Committee‘s official website. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970.
Columbia, South Carolina
An exterior view of the South Carolina State House, Columbia – construction work first began in 1851 and was completed in 1907, it was designated a national historic landmark in 1976 for its significance in the post-civil war reconstruction era.
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The construction of the South Carolina State House began in 1854, but halted due to the Civil War. The building still features cannonball marks from when the Union army captured Columbia in 1865, according to Discover South Carolina. The State House was finally completed in 1903, and it was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976, according to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
A portrait of state senator Clementa Pinckney, who was killed in the 2015 shooting at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church, hangs in the Senate Gallery.
Pierre, South Dakota
State capitol building in downtown Pierre in central South Dakota, The state capital city of South Dakota is Pierre in the center of the state on the shores of the Missouri River with the capitol building located downtown in this small city of about 14,000 people.
South Dakota’s state capitol was constructed between 1905 and 1910, not long after South Dakota became a US state in 1889, according to the South Dakota Bureau of Administration. An annex was added in 1932. The Neoclassical building features scagliola plaster columns, war memorials, and stained-glass windows, according to Travel South Dakota.
Nashville, Tennessee
NASHVILLE – MAY 25: Tennessee State Capitol Building, as photographed from The Rivers Of Tennessee Fountain grounds at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville, Tennessee on May 25, 2016. (
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The Tennessee State Capitol opened in 1859. The architect, William Strickland, died during its construction in 1854 and was buried on the capitol grounds along with President James K. Polk and first lady Sarah Childress Polk, according to the Tennessee State Museum.
Austin, Texas
The Texas State Capitol building in Austin, Texas
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Completed in 1888, the Texas State Capitol dome is topped with a statue of Libertas, the goddess of liberty, according to the official website for the Texas House of Representatives. It stands 14 feet taller than the US Capitol.
Salt Lake City, Utah
The Utah State Capitol building in Salt Lake City.
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Utah’s State Capitol was designed by architect Richard K.A. Kletting and was completed in 1916, according to its official website. The rotunda features bronze and marble statues of Native American leaders, LDS pioneers, and US presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, according to its website.
Montpelier, Vermont
Vermont capitol building in Montpelier.
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The Vermont State House, designed in the Greek Revival architecture style, dates back to 1857, according to the National Park Service. A statue of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, adorns the top of the dome.
Richmond, Virginia
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – JANUARY 20: Thousands of gun rights advocates attend a rally organized by The Virginia Citizens Defense League on Capitol Square at the State Capitol building January 20, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. During elections last year, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam promised to enact sweeping gun control laws in 2020, including limiting handgun purchase to one per month, banning military-style weapons and silencers, allowing localities to ban guns in public spaces and enacting a ‘red flag’ law so authorities can temporarily seize weapons from someone deemed a threat. While event organizers have asked supporters to show up un-armed, militias and other extremist groups from across the country plan to attend the rally and show their support for gun rights.
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Thomas Jefferson designed Virginia’s state capitol to look like the ancient Roman temple of Maison Carée, according to the Virginia General Assembly‘s official website. The building also features a bronze statue of Jefferson, who is depicted holding the capitol’s architectural blueprints.
Olympia, Washington
Washington State Capitol Legislative Building and blooming cherry trees in Olympia, Washington.
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The Washington State Legislative Building features the tallest freestanding masonry dome in North America at 287 feet, according to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services. Designed by Walter Wilder and Harry White, it was completed in 1928.
Charleston, West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV -JUNE 26: The State Capitol building in Charleston is actually taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. -Charleston is the destination for the traveler who enjoys food, music, nature and rural culture in a mid-size city.
Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post/Getty Images
West Virginia’s capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert, took eight years and almost $10 million to construct before its completion in 1932, according to its official website. The dome stands at 293 feet tall — 5 feet higher than the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
Madison, Wisconsin
MADISON, WI – MARCH 12: Thousands of demonstrators protest outside the Wisconsin State Capitol March 12, 2011 in Madison, Wisconsin. Organizers were expecting 200 thousand participants to attend the rally to voice their opposition to Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair bill which essentially eliminated collective bargaining rights for state workers.
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Wisconsin’s state capitol features the only granite dome in the US, according to Travel Wisconsin. On top of the dome, a gilded bronze statue by Daniel Chester French is aptly named “Wisconsin.”
Cheyenne, Wyoming
386423 02: The Wyoming State Capitol building is seen March 6, 2001 in Cheyenne, Wy. Wyoming lawmakers passed the Insurance Coverage for Diabetes Act which requires health policies to cover diabetes supplies, equipment and education.
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Wyoming’s state capitol, constructed between 1886 and 1890, was built in the Renaissance Revival architecture style, according to the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information. It is one of 20 state capitols designated as a National Historic Landmark, according to the National Park Service.
A view of the “El Palito” oil refinery in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.
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The US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise raid on Saturday.
In a press conference, Trump said the US will look to tap the country’s oil reserves.
Venezuela is home to over 300 billion barrels of proven crude oil, the largest reserves globally.
Venezuela is home to over 300 billion barrels of proven crude oil — more than any other country in the world.
That’s not the reason President Donald Trump gave, however, for the surprise raid on Venezuela on Saturday that netted its president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife.
The Trump administration said Maduro’s capture was a law enforcement operation. Maduro has been indicted on drug trafficking and weapons charges and is now awaiting his first hearing in a notorious Brooklyn jail.
In a press conference on Saturday, though, Trump said that with Maduro removed from the country, the US would now look to tap the country’s oil reserves.
“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country,” Trump said.
Trump called Venezuela’s oil business a “bust” and “nothing by comparison to what they could have been pumping, and what could have taken place.”
While it’s home to a fifth of the world’s oil reserves, Venezuela accounts for less than 1% of global daily crude production.
Take a look at how its reserves compare to other countries. This data, from OPEC, does not include oil sands deposits, which account for the majority of Canada’s proven crude oil reserves.
Citing officials, outlets like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported that Delta Force, alongside law enforcement personnel, carried out the extraction of Maduro as part of Operation Absolute Resolve, a surprise nighttime raid of the Venezuelan leader’s compound in Caracas.
Business Insider wasn’t able to independently confirm the participation of the elite unit in the operation. The Pentagon directed BI’s queries to the White House.
In discussions of the complex operation, President Donald Trump said only that it was executed by “the most highly trained soldiers in the world,” adding that “there’s nobody that has their talent.”
Caracas, the capital of Venezuela
Juan BARRETO / AFP via Getty Images
The president may have been speaking about all of the personnel involved. US officials said that the operation to grab Maduro included land, air, sea, space, cyber, and intelligence forces. But Trump’s language could easily apply to Delta Force, a top-tier special operations unit.
Here is what we know about this elite force.
An essential but highly secretive group
Delta Force, officially known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (SFOD-D), is tasked with capturing and eliminating high-value targets. Like other tier-one special mission units, such as SEAL Team 6, Delta Force tackles some of the US Army’s most covert and complex tasks.
The special operations unit, founded by Col. Charlie Beckwith in the 1970s for direct combat action, unconventional warfare, and counterterrorism, is headquartered at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, also home to other Army special operations forces.
Operators train for rapid infiltration and exfiltration, intense close-quarters combat, precision marksmanship, demolition, hostage rescue, and more. Unlike some other units, Delta pulls the best warfighters it can from across the US armed forces, though it mainly draws from Army special operations forces. Known as “quiet professionals,” Delta Force operators generally do not speak openly about their activities.
Much of the elite force’s work is highly classified, but some Delta missions are public knowledge.
Delta Force was involved in the US operation, Just Cause, that ultimately led to the capture of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega during the 1989 invasion of Panama. And the group distinguished itself during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, made famous by the book and film “Black Hawk Down.” Two snipers were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions.
This century, this unit was among the US special operations forces that surged into Afghanistan immediately after the 9/11 attacks, played a role in the 2003 capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, and was involved in the death of the infamous Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019.
Aircraft, explosions, and smoke were seen across Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, from about 2 a.m. The US carried out strikes and captured the nation’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
Reuters
And now reporting indicates Delta Force, along with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, was instrumental in capturing Maduro.
The assault on Venezuela and raid on Maduro’s compound
The US president and other US officials shared details of the raid that captured Maduro on Saturday.
Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the apprehension team broke into a fortified compound to capture Maduro after months of planning. US intelligence agencies watched and studied his patterns of life, while other teams trained for the operation on a replica of Maduro’s home. The US used a similar tactic to ready for the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound.
Reports indicate Delta Force was inserted into the target area by the 160th SOAR, the Night Stalkers famous for their ability to get special operators in and out of tough spots.
With fighters, bombers, electronic warfare planes, and more delivering strikes and providing air cover, Caine said the helicopters carrying the extraction team were able to reach their target with “totally the element of surprise.”
During the complex apprehension operation, American operators moved fast through the building to find Maduro and his wife, seizing them before they could get the door closed on a steel safe room.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrives in New York.
Reuters
Trump said that Venezuela’s military was overwhelmed by US forces. Several American personnel were injured, the president said, and one of the helicopters was hit but remained flyable. No troops or equipment were lost in the operation.
The Trump administration is holding Maduro responsible for supporting narco-terrorism (drug trafficking) and other criminal activity. The recent operation is also about oil, with the administration accusing Venezuela of using oil revenue to fund malign activities. Maduro has denied the allegations.
Trump said on Saturday that the US would run Venezuela until a “safe, proper” election could occur. He also said that US oil companies would be entering the country, which has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves.
The scene at MDC on Saturday evening as Maduro was transported to the prison
Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images
Nicolás Maduro and his wife have reportedly been transferred to a federal prison in Brooklyn.
The Metropolitan Detention Center also houses accused UnitedHealthcare killer Luigi Mangioni.
It has been criticized for poor conditions, described as “inhumane” and a “hell on earth.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are reportedly awaiting their first court appearance at a Brooklyn jail famous for its poor conditions.
Numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, have reported that the pair were escorted to the Metropolitan Detention Center late Saturday after arriving by plane in New York.
MDC, which has yet to confirm the transfer to Business Insider, has been home to numerous high-profile defendants facing trial in New York City, including music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of fallen bitcoin exchange FTX, and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of aiding the sex trafficking operation of the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Luigi Mangioni has been housed at MDC while awaiting trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He has pleaded not guilty.
The jail has been widely criticized over the years for its poor conditions, having been described as “inhumane” and “hell on earth.”
Last year, the Legal Aid Society issued a press release lamenting the jail’s “documented history of violence, medical neglect, and human and civil rights violations.” It cited reports of no heat during the winter and “maggot-infested food.”
In 2024, a federal judge in Brooklyn made headlines when he carved out a special exemption during sentencing to help a defendant avoid the MDC. The judge ruled that if the 74-year-old, convicted of tax fraud, were assigned to the MDC, he could serve his time under house arrest, The New York Times reported.
In March, Brooklyn federal prosecutors announced charges against 25 defendants in 12 separate cases tied to violence and contraband smuggling at the jail, which is located in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn.
“Over the years, MDC has become synonymous with egregious neglect and abuse with the people incarcerated,” the Legal Aid Society said in a June press release opposing ICE detentions at the jail.
President Donald Trump shocked the world on Saturday when he announced that the US had captured the Venezuelan president and his wife after a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela.
Trump has said the US is “going to run the country” until it can facilitate a safe transition of power, and that US oil companies will now be free to “spend billions” on development in the South American nation.
Maduro has been in the US Department of Justice’s crosshairs for years, and in 2020, Manhattan federal prosecutors indicted him as a leader of the Cartel de Las Soles, its name for the alleged drug-trafficking organization run by Venezuela’s military and political elite.
An expanded indictment unsealed on Saturday added as defendants Maduro’s wife and son, Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, identified in the indictment as “The Prince.” It accused them of participating in a wide-ranging effort to traffic drugs to the US to enrich themselves.
If you’re traveling solo for the first time, especially after a significant life event, I hope this helps you avoid some of the pitfalls I fell into.
Melanie Gordon
I took a one-way flight from the US to Central America after a difficult event in my life.
My trip was life-changing, but I made mistakes, such as not booking proof of onward travel.
I also overpacked and spent too much time having fun without giving myself space to grieve.
It’s been almost four years since a condo fire sent me packing to Central America for my first-ever solo backpacking trip.
New passport in hand, I flew to Belize to get scuba certified and maybe “find myself” — but honestly, I had no clue what I was getting into.
That first month backpacking was life-changing, but it was also messy, humbling, and painfully lonely at times. I never ended up moving back to the US, and since that one-way flight, I’ve met so many others who hit the road after a major loss.
The tragedy-to-travel pipeline is so real. If you’re thinking about taking your first solo trip after a tough chapter, here are a few mistakes I made that you may hopefully avoid.
Packing everything but the kitchen sink only held me back
I was grieving and anxious when I left, and it showed in my backpack. I ended up lugging around a massage gun, a portable clothes-washing bag, a headlamp, and plenty of clothes that I never wore.
I packed as if Central America had no laundromats or stores, even though they had plenty. Dragging that overstuffed bag onto buses, boats, and up hostel staircases was a pain.
A few comfort items, like a small candle or photos from home, are nice to have, but really, you just need the essentials.
Not doing the necessary pre-travel research cost me
I wish I’d done more research before booking a one-way ticket to Belize.
Tegra Stone Nuess/Getty Images
I was so focused on getting out the door that I completely overlooked basics, like checking visa rules, entry requirements, and my wallet.
First, in a panic at the airport, I had to buy a last-minute return flight to the US just so I could board my plane at LAX. I somehow hadn’t realized proof of onward travel was required to enter Belize (as is the case when flying to most countries).
During the trip, I also lost my only debit card and didn’t have backup methods for paying for things. Western Union was a lifesaver, but asking my parents to transfer money to me was definitely humbling.
Lastly, I accidentally overstayed my 30-day tourist visa in Belize and later got fined for doing so.
Oversharing with strangers wasn’t always the best idea
When you’re traveling solo and dealing with heartbreak, it’s tempting to spill your guts when someone asks a simple question about your trip.
But not everyone is ready to hear your story, and that’s OK. Sometimes I had genuine heart-to-hearts with people I met on my travels, but other times, I felt like a fool for opening up.
The truth is, most people are on vacation to relax and aren’t looking for a sad story. I had to learn to be more discerning about who I shared my story (and time) with.
Discernment is an essential travel skill. And if you’re traveling heartbroken, virtual therapy is a lifesaver.
At first, I didn’t book the right accommodations for my needs
Hostels sounded like a great idea since they’re popular with solo travelers and can be a great space to socialize.
I thought I’d meet fellow travelers, have deep conversations, and make lifelong friends … but the first few places I stayed were full-on party hostels. Guests were drinking and blasting loud music until 3 a.m., which wasn’t my vibe.
I felt like I couldn’t connect with most people I met, so I did some research and started booking quieter, low-key hostels and some private Airbnbs, which changed the whole vibe of the trip for me.
Where you stay on a trip like this really matters — especially if you’re traveling to heal and form genuine connections.
I forgot why I went on this journey in the first place
In Belize, I hoped to heal and learn more about myself.
Bre McAfee/Getty Images
Ultimately, throughout the trip, I distracted myself from the reason I had gone in the first place.
I filled my days with scuba diving, touring ruins, hiking, and snorkeling. At night, I’d go for drinks with new friends. Though I was having fun, I wasn’t giving myself space to grieve.
After a few weeks, my feelings came crashing out at the wrong time and in the wrong places.
The ocean can’t fix your pain, and neither can the mountains. They can only hold you while you move through it — and travel can take you to some amazing places where you can really feel it all.
That first month in Belize wasn’t seamless, but it was exactly what I needed. It marked the beginning of a much longer inward journey — one that continues today.
Aircraft, explosions, and smoke were seen across Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, from about 2 a.m. The US carried out strikes and captured the nation’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
