Havana says 32 Cubans were killed in US operation in Venezuela

Havana says 32 Cubans were killed in US operation in Venezuela

The Cuban government has announced that no fewer than 32 Cubans were killed during a US military attack on Caracas, an operation that culminated in the capture of Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro, according to an official statement broadcast on national television on Sunday.

Havana described the operation as a “criminal attack by the government of the United States” against Venezuela, stating that the Cuban casualties occurred during combat operations linked to the assault on the Venezuelan capital.

According to the statement, those killed were members of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, who were carrying out missions “at the request of counterpart agencies” in Venezuela.

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The announcement followed a dramatic US military operation on Saturday, during which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were reportedly seized in Caracas and flown to New York, where they are expected to face charges related to drug trafficking and terrorism.

Cuban authorities said the fallen personnel “fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism,” adding that they died after “fierce resistance in direct combat” or as a result of US bombings carried out during the operation.

In response to the deaths, Cuba declared two days of national mourning, beginning Monday, and pledged to organise official tributes in honour of the victims.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel paid tribute to the fallen soldiers in a post on X, writing: “Honor and glory to the brave Cuban fighters who fell facing terrorists in imperial uniform.”

The incident has further heightened tensions between Havana and Washington, while also raising regional concerns over the broader implications of the US action in Venezuela.

Havana says 32 Cubans were killed in US operation in Venezuela