Havana Mourns: Cuba Reports 32 Personnel Killed in U.S. Raid to Capture Maduro
January 5, 2026
By Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com
In a somber announcement that has deepened the rift between Havana and Washington, the Cuban government revealed on Sunday that 32 of its citizens — all members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and intelligence services — were killed during the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The statement, issued by the Cuban presidency, described the fallen as “compatriots” who “fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism” while on official missions in Venezuela at the request of its government. Havana has declared two days of national mourning on January 5 and 6, with funeral arrangements to be announced later.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the U.S. action as a “criminal attack” and “state terrorism,” rallying thousands in Havana to wave Cuban and Venezuelan flags in solidarity.
Deep-Rooted Alliance: Cuba’s Role in Venezuela
The revelation underscores the decades-long military and intelligence cooperation between Cuba and Venezuela, a partnership forged under Hugo Chávez and sustained by Maduro. Thousands of Cuban advisors, including security personnel, have long been embedded in Venezuela’s armed forces and intelligence apparatus, providing training, counterintelligence, and personal protection to the leadership.
U.S. officials, including President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have repeatedly accused Cuba of propping up Maduro’s regime. Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, acknowledged the casualties: “A lot of Cubans were killed yesterday… They were protecting Maduro.” He added that no U.S. personnel died in the operation, though two were injured.
Reports indicate many of the Cuban personnel formed part of Maduro’s elite security detail, with some dying in direct combat during the raid on his compound in Fuerte Tiuna, while others perished in supporting strikes on military sites.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López reported that a “large part” of Maduro’s security team was killed “in cold blood,” with preliminary estimates placing total deaths at over 80, including civilians.
Regional and Global Fallout
The deaths mark the most significant loss of Cuban personnel abroad since the Angolan civil war in the 1980s, highlighting the risks of Havana’s deep involvement in Venezuela. In exchange for security and medical support, Venezuela has historically provided Cuba with subsidized oil — a lifeline amid Havana’s economic woes.
With Maduro’s removal, analysts warn Cuba faces heightened vulnerability, including potential loss of oil supplies and increased U.S. pressure. Rubio, of Cuban descent, issued a veiled warning: “I’d be concerned” if I were Cuba’s leaders.
International reactions have been sharp: Russia and China condemned the raid, while some Latin American nations expressed unease. The UN Security Council debates its legality amid broader concerns over U.S. interventionism.
A Turning Point?
As Cuba mourns its fallen “fighters,” the incident exposes the human cost of the Cuba-Venezuela alliance and raises questions about Havana’s future strategy. For a nation already grappling with economic crises, these losses add a layer of national grief and defiance against perceived U.S. aggression.
The world watches as tensions simmer, with implications for hemispheric stability and great-power rivalries in the Americas.
By: Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com
