American Attack in Venezuela Results in Death of 32 Cubans

American Attack in Venezuela

The Cuban government has announced that 32 of its nationals were killed during an American operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Cuban authorities described the deceased as members of the armed forces and intelligence agents, claiming they were victims of "combat actions," and have declared a national mourning period for two days.

The armed forces emphasized that the Cubans "fell after fierce resistance, either in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of bombings of installations." Cuba, a long-time ally of Venezuela, has been providing personal security details for Maduro for years and has personnel in the Venezuelan army.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that his country offered protection to Maduro's family "at the request" of Venezuela. American General Dan Caine asserted that American agents had been monitoring Maduro's movements for several months before forces intervened. Reports also indicate that the CIA had recruited a "Venezuelan source" who informed them of Maduro's exact location.

The Venezuelan government has not confirmed the exact number of casualties, but the armed forces claimed that "a large part" of Maduro's security team is among the deceased. An official statement from the Cuban government noted: "Our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism." According to an anonymous Venezuelan official cited by the New York Times, the total death toll could be as high as 80 and is expected to rise.

In the days following Maduro's capture, questions have arisen regarding the possibility that the Trump administration might consider a similar operation against Cuba, a country that, like Venezuela, has had adversarial relations with the U.S. for decades. In a recent statement, President Donald Trump claimed that military action was unnecessary because "Cuba is ready to fall." On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Cuba as a "disaster" run by "incompetent and senile people."