Cuba Confirms Losses During US Military Operation
Cuba announced that 32 of its citizens were killed during a US military raid in Venezuela, confirming for the first time that Cuban personnel were directly involved in combat operations during the assault that led to the arrest and extraction of Nicolás Maduro. According to Cuban authorities, those killed were members of the Cuban Armed Forces and the interior ministry who had been deployed on official missions linked to security and defense cooperation with Venezuela.
The Cuban presidential office stated that the fallen personnel engaged in direct combat with US forces and also died as a result of air and missile strikes on targeted facilities. Officials described their actions as a fulfillment of duty under combat conditions, emphasizing that they resisted what Havana characterized as a foreign attack on Venezuelan soil.
The announcement adds a new international dimension to the operation, revealing that the US raid resulted in fatalities beyond Venezuelan security forces. Reports indicate that a significant portion of Maduro’s protective detail was killed during the assault, underscoring the scale and intensity of the military action carried out by the United States.
Cuba also declared that it will formally honor those killed, framing them as casualties of an operation it described as unlawful and aggressive. The statement marked one of the strongest reactions so far from a close Venezuelan ally.
Escalation Between Havana and Washington
Havana sharply condemned the US operation, labeling it an act of aggression and accusing Washington of state terrorism. Cuban officials argued that the strike violated international norms and sovereignty, not only of Venezuela but also of the region as a whole. The deaths of Cuban personnel have significantly raised tensions between Cuba and the United States, reviving memories of Cold War era confrontations.
From the Cuban perspective, the presence of its forces in Venezuela was part of long standing bilateral cooperation. Cuban military and security advisers have operated in Venezuela for years, supporting internal security, intelligence, and strategic infrastructure. The confirmation that Cuban forces were killed during the raid signals how deeply intertwined the two governments had become.
The United States has not publicly detailed how it intends to address Cuba’s accusations. However, the acknowledgment of Cuban casualties complicates Washington’s diplomatic position, particularly as international organizations and foreign governments continue to assess the legality and consequences of the operation.
For Cuba, the incident reinforces its narrative of resistance against US interventionism. State media and officials have portrayed the deaths as proof that Havana is willing to pay a high price to defend its allies and oppose American influence in Latin America.
Washington’s Strategy for Venezuela
The US raid followed an extended period of military pressure and political threats against the Venezuelan leadership by US President Donald Trump. After Maduro was taken into custody and transferred to the United States, Trump stated that Washington would assume control over Venezuela during a transitional period until a new and stable government could be established.
US officials have emphasized that the operation was not an isolated action but part of a broader strategy combining military, economic, and diplomatic pressure. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the United States is using leverage gained from an oil blockade and a strengthened military presence in the Caribbean to influence Venezuela’s future direction.
According to Rubio, restrictions on Venezuelan oil exports are designed to prevent economic recovery unless political conditions aligned with US objectives are met. He stated that this approach is intended to pressure decision makers while also claiming to serve the interests of the Venezuelan population. The US has reinforced this strategy by seizing tankers linked to Venezuela and deploying additional naval and air assets across the region.
This combination of economic isolation and military pressure suggests that Washington intends to maintain a decisive role in shaping Venezuela’s political transition rather than relying solely on diplomatic negotiations.
Regional Fallout and Uncertain Consequences
The confirmation of Cuban casualties raises the risk of wider regional fallout. With foreign forces now acknowledged as having died in combat, the operation against Maduro has moved beyond a domestic Venezuelan issue into a multinational crisis. Analysts warn that this could harden positions among Venezuela’s remaining allies and complicate efforts to stabilize the country.
For Venezuela, the immediate future remains uncertain. While the US has signaled its intention to oversee a transition, the presence of foreign casualties, unresolved legal questions, and competing international reactions could slow or derail that process. Inside the country, the loss of senior leadership and foreign security support may create power vacuums and internal tensions.
Cuba’s response suggests it will continue to oppose US actions through diplomatic channels and symbolic measures, even if it avoids direct military confrontation. Meanwhile, Washington appears determined to press ahead, using its current leverage to reshape Venezuela’s political and economic landscape.
As the situation develops, the deaths of Cuban personnel stand as a stark reminder of how quickly the Venezuelan crisis has escalated into a broader geopolitical confrontation, with consequences that extend far beyond Caracas.
