32 Dead: Cuba’s Fierce Fighters Killed in Shocking U.S. Venezuela Raid

32 Dead: Cuba’s Fierce Fighters Killed in Shocking U.S. Venezuela Raid that captured President Nicolás Maduro. Cuba has confirmed that 32 of its citizens were killed during a United States military operation in Venezuela, marking one of the most dramatic and controversial interventions in Latin America in decades.

The raid, which culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, has triggered global condemnation, raised serious legal questions, and intensified geopolitical tensions across the Western Hemisphere and beyond.

Havana announced the deaths on Sunday, declaring two days of national mourning on January 5 and 6 to honor those killed. The Cuban government said the deceased were members of its armed forces and intelligence services, deployed in Venezuela at the request of Caracas.

The U.S. government, meanwhile, has defended the operation as a law-enforcement mission to bring Maduro to face long-standing criminal charges in American courts.

Critics argue it represents a clear violation of international law, including the sovereignty of a foreign state and the norms governing the treatment of sitting heads of government.

32 Dead: Cuba’s Fierce Fighters Killed in Shocking U.S. Venezuela Raid

Cuba Confirms Deaths of Military and Intelligence Personnel

In a statement read on Cuban state television and carried by the official Prensa Latina news agency, Havana said the 32 Cubans were killed while “carrying out missions related to security and defense” in Venezuela.

“Faithful to their responsibilities, our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism and fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of bombings on the facilities,” the statement said.

Cuban authorities did not disclose the identities or ranks of those killed, nor did they specify whether all were part of Maduro’s immediate security detail.

However, officials confirmed that the fallen personnel belonged to Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, which oversees intelligence and internal security.

Cuba has maintained a security presence in Venezuela for years, providing advisers, intelligence officers, and protection to senior officials as part of its close alliance with the Maduro government.

Two Days of National Mourning Declared in Cuba

President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that flags would fly at half-mast across the island during the mourning period. Funeral arrangements and official tributes will be announced in the coming days.

In a post on X, Díaz-Canel wrote:

“Honor and glory to the brave Cuban fighters who fell facing terrorists in imperial uniform.”

Former Cuban leader Raúl Castro also sent condolences to the families of the deceased, underscoring the gravity of the losses for the island nation.

The U.S. Operation: Maduro Seized and Flown to New York

The U.S. military operation took place early Saturday in Caracas, targeting facilities linked to Maduro’s security apparatus.

American forces seized Maduro and his wife and flew them to the United States, where the Venezuelan leader is now being held in a New York detention facility.

Maduro, 63, is scheduled to appear in court on Monday to face charges stemming from a 2020 U.S. indictment, including:

• Narco-terrorism conspiracy
• Drug trafficking
• Weapons-related offenses

Maduro has consistently denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated attempts to overthrow his government.

Images of the Venezuelan leader blindfolded and handcuffed by U.S. forces have circulated widely, stunning Venezuelans and provoking outrage among his allies.

Trump Acknowledges ‘A Lot of Cubans’ Were Killed

U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, openly acknowledged the scale of casualties on the opposing side.

“There was a lot of death on the other side,” Trump said. “A lot of Cubans were killed. No death on our side.”

Trump framed the operation as a decisive success and suggested that Cuba’s losses reflected its deep involvement in propping up Maduro’s government.

Trump Says Cuba Is ‘Ready to Fall’

In remarks that further inflamed tensions, Trump claimed that Cuba’s economic survival was now in jeopardy following Maduro’s removal.

“Cuba is ready to fall. Cuba looks like it’s ready to fall,” he said, pointing to the loss of heavily subsidized Venezuelan oil supplies.

Trump suggested that a U.S. military intervention in Cuba was unnecessary, arguing that economic pressure alone might be sufficient to destabilize the island.

He also hinted at potential future military action elsewhere in the region, including a veiled threat toward Colombia, comments that drew swift criticism from regional leaders.

Venezuela Condemns ‘Cold-Blooded’ Killings

Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino appeared on state television to denounce the U.S. raid, saying it resulted in the deaths of soldiers, civilians, and a large portion of Maduro’s security detail.

“They were killed in cold blood,” Padrino said, adding that Venezuela’s armed forces had been placed on high alert to “guarantee national sovereignty.”

While Venezuela has acknowledged fatalities from the strikes, it has not released an official death toll.

A Divided Latin America Reacts

The U.S. operation has exposed deep political divisions across Latin America.

Leaders Condemning the Raid

Left-leaning governments in the region largely denounced the action:

• Brazil – Warned against external regime change
• Colombia – President Gustavo Petro called it an “assault on Latin American sovereignty”
• Mexico – Said the raid “seriously jeopardizes regional stability”
• Chile – Raised concerns over precedent and legality

Governments Welcoming Maduro’s Removal

Right-wing administrations, including those in Argentina and Ecuador, welcomed the removal of Maduro, citing his disputed legitimacy and human rights record.

Global Powers Condemn the United States

China

Beijing demanded that Maduro and his wife be released immediately, calling the operation a “clear violation of international law” and the UN Charter.

Russia

Moscow described the raid as an “act of armed aggression” and said it was “extremely concerned” by the precedent set.

Iran

Tehran condemned the attack as a flagrant violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

North Korea

Pyongyang labeled the capture of Maduro a “serious encroachment of sovereignty.”

Europe Split Over Legality and Legitimacy

European reactions were mixed:

• France and Spain criticized the operation as illegal and destabilizing
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged restraint while questioning Maduro’s legitimacy
• Italy, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, expressed rare support for the U.S. action
• Britain said it would “shed no tears” over the end of Maduro’s rule

An EU statement signed by all member states except Hungary emphasized that Venezuela’s future must reflect the will of its people.

United Nations Raises Alarm

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply alarmed,” warning that the raid could establish a dangerous precedent for international relations.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the situation, with Russia and China requesting an emergency session.

Legal Questions Loom Over the Operation

International law experts have raised serious concerns about the legality of abducting a sitting head of state from a sovereign country without UN authorization.

Key questions include:

• Does a criminal indictment justify military extraction?
• Does Maduro retain head-of-state immunity?
• What precedent does this set for future conflicts?

The Trump administration insists the operation was lawful, citing the severity of the charges and Maduro’s alleged role in transnational drug trafficking.

What Comes Next for Venezuela and Cuba

With Maduro in U.S. custody, Venezuela’s political future remains uncertain. Interim leadership has called for a “balanced and respectful” relationship with Washington, signaling a possible shift in tone.

For Cuba, the deaths represent a significant loss and a stark reminder of the risks tied to its regional alliances. As economic pressure mounts and diplomatic tensions rise, Havana faces renewed scrutiny from Washington.

Conclusion

The deaths of 32 Cuban fighters in a U.S. military raid on Venezuela mark a turning point in Latin American geopolitics.

The capture of Nicolás Maduro has reshaped power dynamics, intensified global debate over international law, and placed Cuba squarely in the crosshairs of a rapidly evolving crisis.

As the world watches Maduro’s court appearance in New York, the consequences of this operation—legal, political, and human—are only beginning to unfold.

Also Read: 7 Explosive Ways Trump’s Venezuela Raid Could Rewrite Global Order

Also Read: Cuba declares two days of mourning after 32 killed in US raid that captured Maduro