Cuba said 32 of its nationals were killed during a US military operation targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to an official government statement.
Havana said the dead included members of its armed forces and intelligence services and declared two days of national mourning.
🇨🇺| Declara Presidente de la República Duelo Nacional, por la muerte de 32 combatientes cubanos en vil agresión militar de Estados Unidos a Venezuela.
— Presidencia Cuba 🇨🇺 (@PresidenciaCuba) January 5, 2026
Estará vigente a partir de las 6:00 a.m. del 5 de enero hasta las 12 de noche del 6 de enero.
🔗| https://t.co/2vaczsVH0d pic.twitter.com/iV5CGOfD9l
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the personnel were providing protection to Maduro and his wife at Venezuela’s request. The government praised those killed for what it described as “heroic” resistance during the attack.
Venezuela has not released an official death toll from the raid on Maduro’s compound in Caracas. The New York Times, citing a Venezuelan official, reported that at least 80 people were killed, with the number expected to rise. That figure has not been independently verified.
Trump says many Cubans were killed in Venezuela trying to protect Maduro.
— euronews (@euronews) January 5, 2026
Cuba reports 32 Cuban officers killed in a US military operation over the weekend, the first official death toll. pic.twitter.com/v43iA9NTQk
Following Maduro’s capture, questions have surfaced about US policy toward Cuba. President Donald Trump said military action against the island would not be necessary, arguing that Cuba’s government is weakening.
The Trump administration has recently tightened sanctions and reinforced travel restrictions on Cuba, continuing a decades-long embargo.
Also read:
TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
