Cuba Says 32 Cuban Officers Killed by U.S. Military Operation

The Cuban government announced on January 4, 2026, that 32 of its military and police officers were killed during the United States’ military action in Venezuela that ousted President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, over the weekend. Havana’s official statement — read on state television and published by authorities — said the officers were on a mission “at the request of Venezuelan counterparts” when they died in combat or bombings during the chaotic raid.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and former leader Raúl Castro expressed condolences and declared two days of national mourning. The announcement said that families have been informed of the identities of the deceased, underscoring the emotional toll on the island.

Background: U.S. Operation and Maduro’s Capture

The deaths of the Cuban officers occurred during an unprecedented U.S. military operation in Caracas that included airstrikes and special forces action leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were flown to the United States to face drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism charges in New York. President Donald Trump framed the mission as a success, claiming no American troops were killed, even as Cuban casualties mounted. Trump said, “A lot of Cubans were killed yesterday… no deaths on our side.”

Cuba has been a longstanding ally of Venezuela, providing military and police support to Maduro’s regime for years — including assistance with intelligence and internal security forces. The Cuban personnel involved were reportedly part of that support structure.

Havana’s Reaction and Regional Tensions

Cuba’s acknowledgement of the deaths marked a sharp escalation in the regional political fallout from the Venezuelan operation. Havana’s government described the deaths as a sacrifice in the service of security and defence responsibilities and praised the officers for their courage and heroism. Additionally, the leadership’s declaration of national mourning signals how seriously it views the incident and the risk it poses to Cuban political stability.

Cuban officials have condemned the U.S. military action as illegitimate and a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty, part of wider criticism from left-aligned governments in Latin America. The state reaction also highlighted broader concern in Havana over its own economic and geopolitical future in the wake of Maduro’s ouster, since Venezuela has long been a key provider of subsidised oil and financial support to the island.

On the geopolitical front, the Cuban response has been echoed by other regional actors who view the U.S. raid as a breach of international norms, prompting diplomatic protests and calls for a broader international response to what many critics have termed an act of aggression.

What Happens Next

Moreover, the Cuban announcement leaves several open questions about the scope of Havana’s involvement, the exact circumstances of the fatalities, and how Cuban authorities will steer policy toward Washington in the coming days. With Maduro in U.S. custody and Venezuelan allies scrambling to organise transitional leadership, Cuba is facing its own economic and political uncertainties — exacerbated by deeper integration with Venezuela over decades.

International observers warn that Cuba — already struggling with chronic economic challenges — may face further instability if its strategic partnership with Venezuela collapses or if tensions with the United States continue to rise.

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