A United States military operation conducted on Saturday, January 3, led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Caracas. Following the operation, the Cuban government announced a two-day national mourning period after reporting that 32 of its citizens were killed during the U.S. intervention. The U.S. operation involved air strikes and ground forces, with President Maduro expected to face drug-related charges in a U.S. court.
U.S. Military Operation and Maduro's Capture
On Saturday, January 3, U.S. forces initiated military operations in Venezuela, which included bombings in Caracas and other cities, as well as an elite military unit advancing towards President Nicolas Maduro's compound. The operation resulted in the capture of President Maduro and his wife.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the capture, stating that the action concluded a months-long standoff between the U.S. and the Venezuelan leader. Following his capture, President Maduro and his wife were transported to New York, where he is expected to appear in a U.S. court on Monday to face prosecution on drug-related charges. President Maduro has consistently denied any criminal involvement. Images reportedly depicting the 63-year-old president blindfolded and handcuffed by U.S. forces have been circulated. The U.S. objective was for President Maduro to face prosecution on an indictment accusing him of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.
Cuban Casualties and Government Response
The Cuban government announced on Sunday that 32 of its citizens were killed during the U.S. military operation in Venezuela. This marked the first official acknowledgment and death count provided by Cuba regarding the incident.
Cuban state media, including Prensa Latina, described the deceased as "fighters" and "members of its armed forces and intelligence agencies" who were "carrying out missions" on behalf of the Cuban military at the request of the Venezuelan government. Official Cuban statements indicated that these individuals, described as military and police officers, "fell in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombing of the facilities" after offering resistance. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that the individuals were providing protection to President Maduro and his wife "at the request" of Venezuela.
The incident represents the largest loss of Cuban combatants in direct engagement with the U.S. military since the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. In response to the deaths, the Cuban government declared a two-day national mourning period, scheduled for January 5 and 6. The remains of the 32 Cuban military personnel were repatriated to Havana, with Cuban leadership, including former President Raúl Castro and President Miguel Díaz-Canel, present at the airport. A ceremony was subsequently held at the Armed Forces Ministry where the ashes were displayed.
The Cuban government also confirmed the long-standing presence of Cuban intelligence officers within Venezuela's governmental structures, acknowledging claims regarding Cuban involvement across various levels of Venezuela's security apparatus.
Official Reactions and Allegations
Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino stated on state television that the U.S. attack resulted in the deaths of soldiers, civilians, and a "large part" of President Maduro’s security detail. Padrino also announced that Venezuela’s armed forces had been activated to ensure national sovereignty. The Venezuelan government acknowledged that an unspecified number of people died during the "American blasts" but did not confirm specific casualty figures to The Associated Press. The New York Times, citing an unnamed Venezuelan official, reported a death toll of 80, though this report has not been independently verified.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters, confirmed "a lot of death on the other side" during the raids in Venezuela, specifically stating that "a lot of Cubans" were killed, with "no death on our side." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that President Maduro's internal security apparatus was headed by Cubans and that they were actively "propping up Maduro," further claiming that Maduro's protective guards and the country's intelligence agency were composed of Cuban personnel.
Regional Context and Future Outlook
Cuba and Venezuela maintain close allied relations, with Cuba having provided military and police assistance to the country for several years, often in exchange for oil.
Following the operation, discussions emerged regarding the possibility of similar U.S. military actions against Cuba. President Trump addressed these speculations, indicating that a U.S. military intervention against Cuba is unlikely. He commented that Cuba appears to be "ready to fall" due to the loss of Venezuelan oil income, stating, "Cuba now has no income. They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. They’re not getting any of it. Cuba literally is ready to fall." He added, "I don't think we need any action. Looks like it's going down. It's going down for the count."
Victor Dreke, an 88-year-old figure associated with Fidel Castro, drew parallels to the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, stating that any U.S. attempt to invade Cuba would be met with strong resistance. In a separate development, a telephone conversation between a Venezuelan official, Delcy Rodriguez, and President Trump was reported, with President Trump making "positive remarks."