The Cuban government has accused the United States of killing 32 Cuban nationals during a military operation in Caracas that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In a statement read on state television on Sunday, January 4, authorities in Cuba said the deaths occurred “as a result of the criminal attack carried out by the government of the United States” against Venezuela.
According to the statement, those killed were members of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior who were deployed on official missions “at the request of counterpart agencies.”
The accusation follows a dramatic US military operation carried out on Saturday, January 3, during which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were removed from Caracas and taken to the United States to face drug trafficking and terrorism-related charges in a New York court.
Cuban officials said the fallen personnel “fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism,” adding that they died “after fierce resistance in direct combat with the attackers or as a result of US bombardments.”
In response, Havana announced two days of national mourning beginning at dawn on Monday, January 5, and said official tributes would be organised to honour the deceased.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel paid tribute on X, writing: “Honour and glory to the brave Cuban fighters who fell facing terrorists in imperial uniform.”