The Cuban government says 32 of its nationals were killed during the US operation to seize Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. It described the dead as members of its armed forces and intelligence agencies, declaring two days of national mourning. The armed forces added the Cubans 'fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers, or as a result of bombardments of installations.' Cuba, a long-standing ally of Venezuela, has for years supplied Maduro with his personal security detail and has personnel throughout the Venezuelan military.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel noted that the country had been providing protection to Maduro and his wife 'at the request' of Venezuela. U.S. General Dan Caine revealed that U.S. spies had been monitoring Maduro's movements for months before the attack. The New York Times reported that the CIA had recruited a 'Venezuelan source' who informed them of Maduro's exact location. Many of those killed are believed to have been part of Maduro's close security detail, who were with him at the time. While Venezuela has not confirmed the total death toll, its armed forces stated that a 'large part' of Maduro's security team were among the casualties.
An official statement from the Cuban government read: 'Our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism.' The total death toll, according to an unnamed Venezuelan official cited by the New York Times, stood at 80 and is expected to rise. Following the seizure of Maduro, questions arise over whether the Trump administration could consider similar military actions against Cuba, traditionally viewed as an adversarial nation by the U.S. President Trump remarked that military action would not be necessary as 'Cuba is ready to fall.' His administration has continued an economic embargo against Cuba, which has been in place since 1962.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel noted that the country had been providing protection to Maduro and his wife 'at the request' of Venezuela. U.S. General Dan Caine revealed that U.S. spies had been monitoring Maduro's movements for months before the attack. The New York Times reported that the CIA had recruited a 'Venezuelan source' who informed them of Maduro's exact location. Many of those killed are believed to have been part of Maduro's close security detail, who were with him at the time. While Venezuela has not confirmed the total death toll, its armed forces stated that a 'large part' of Maduro's security team were among the casualties.
An official statement from the Cuban government read: 'Our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism.' The total death toll, according to an unnamed Venezuelan official cited by the New York Times, stood at 80 and is expected to rise. Following the seizure of Maduro, questions arise over whether the Trump administration could consider similar military actions against Cuba, traditionally viewed as an adversarial nation by the U.S. President Trump remarked that military action would not be necessary as 'Cuba is ready to fall.' His administration has continued an economic embargo against Cuba, which has been in place since 1962.
