January 5, 2026 | Havana / Caracas — Dalena Reporters
HAVANA — The Cuban government has issued a stark condemnation of the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela, asserting that the weekend strike which culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro resulted in the death of 32 Cuban nationals, deepening diplomatic tensions and prompting two days of national mourning on the island.
According to an official statement broadcast on Cuban state television, the 32 Cuban military and police officers killed were present in Venezuela at the invitation of Caracas, serving as part of bilateral cooperation between Havana and the Maduro government. The announcement did not specify the exact roles or ranks of those killed but described them as having “fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism,” either in direct combat against the U.S. forces or as victims of bombardments on their facilities during the operation.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel declared January 5 and 6 as national days of mourning, underscoring the gravity with which Havana views the incident. The deaths represent a significant escalation in the regional fallout from the U.S. intervention reportedly one of the deadliest foreign incursions into Venezuelan territory in decades.
The Cuban leadership has framed the casualties as a consequence of U.S. military aggression, pushing back against Washington’s justification for the operation, which targeted Maduro over narcoterrorism and alleged criminal collaboration. In doing so, Havana’s narrative underscores its longstanding strategic alliance with Caracas including military, security and intelligence cooperation.
U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, acknowledged that “many people” were killed on the other side in the operation but did not immediately confirm the Cuban death toll or offer a detailed account of foreign casualties. Washington continues to defend its actions on national security grounds, even as international criticism mounts over legal and sovereignty concerns.
The Cuban government’s public denunciation follows widespread regional and global reactions to the U.S. strikes including condemnations from the United Nations, Latin American states, and African and Caribbean blocs who have accused Washington of violating international law and setting a dangerous precedent for intervention without broad multilateral or UN Security Council backing.
As Havana begins its official mourning and prepares to honor the fallen, diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States already strained by historical tensions are expected to deteriorate further, adding a new layer of complexity to an already volatile Venezuelan crisis.