HAVANA – An American military operation in Venezuela has reportedly resulted in the deaths of 32 Cuban officers, according to the Cuban government. This announcement marks the first official death count provided following U.S. strikes in the South American country over the weekend. The incident took place amidst rising tensions between the U.S. and the Venezuelan government, which has been closely allied with Cuba for many years.
The Cuban officers were part of a mission organized by Venezuela's military at the request of the Venezuelan government. While the specific details regarding the nature of their operations in Venezuela remain unclear, Cuba has a history of providing military and police support to the Venezuelan regime. Rumors of the deaths had already circulated within Cuba before the official announcement was made on state television.
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the media aboard Air Force One, confirming the death toll among Cuban officers. He stated, “You know, a lot of Cubans were killed yesterday. There was a lot of death on the other side. No death on our side.” His remarks highlighted the asymmetry of casualties between the two nations following the military operation.
The operation, which took place on Saturday, involved the U.S. seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife for prosecution based on an indictment that accuses them of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy. In the wake of these developments, Venezuela's government acknowledged that casualties occurred but refrained from providing specific numbers to the Associated Press.
Following the announcement of the Cuban officers' deaths, Cuba declared two days of mourning to honor their sacrifice. Both former Cuban President Raúl Castro and current President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased. However, no details on the names or ranks of the fallen soldiers were disclosed shortly after the announcement.
Cuban officials characterized the officers as having fulfilled their duties with "dignity and heroism," asserting that they took part in fierce resistance during direct combat or sustained injuries as a result of bombings carried out during the American strikes. This language reflects the Cuban government’s effort to frame the event as a heroic stand against foreign aggression.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, himself the son of Cuban immigrants, also addressed the issue, highlighting the significant involvement of Cubans in Maduro's internal security framework. Rubio noted that many of the guards protecting Maduro were Cuban nationals, suggesting that these operatives play a crucial role in propping up the Venezuelan president’s authority amidst ongoing political turmoil.
As the situation continues to unfold, the ramifications of the U.S. military operation and its impact on Cuba-Venezuela relations remain to be fully seen. The events have elevated the already tense geopolitical landscape in the region, with both nations responding vigorously to U.S. actions. The story highlights not only the complexities of international relations in Latin America but also the ramifications of American foreign policy in a region closely watched by global powers.
