
Cuban flag waving at sunset. Photo: @minint_cuba.

Orinoco Tribune – News and opinion pieces about Venezuela and beyond
From Venezuela and made by Venezuelan Chavistas

Cuban flag waving at sunset. Photo: @minint_cuba.
Cuba confirms the deaths of 32 of its military personnel during a US operation in Venezuela that led to the detention of President NicolĂĄs
Cuba confirmed on Sunday that 32 of its military personnel were killed during a United States operation in Venezuela that resulted in the detention of President NicolĂĄs Maduro, describing the events as a direct military attack carried out on Venezuelan territory.
In an official statement broadcast on national television, the Cuban government said the fatalities occurred during direct combat with US forces and as a result of bombings targeting facilities in Caracas. According to the statement, the Cuban personnel were carrying out a mission to protect Maduro and his family, deployed at the request of Venezuelan authorities within the framework of bilateral cooperation.
âAs a result of the criminal attack perpetrated by the government of the United States against the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, (âŚ) 32 Cubans lost their lives in combat actions, while fulfilling missions on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, at the request of counterpart institutions of the South American country,â the statement said.
Cuba says 32 of its combatants were killed in the US military operation, which Washington describes as a âlarge-scale strikeâ
đŻď¸ Havana declares two days of mourning after the operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro https://t.co/KCubC6dJgn
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 5, 2026
ĂCuban President Miguel DĂaz-Canel declared two days of official mourning on January 5 and 6 to honor those killed during what Havana described as a US military aggression that concluded with the transfer of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to New York.
On Monday, Venezuelaâs government issued a statement thanking Cuba for its support, stressing that Cuban forces were operating under bilateral cooperation agreements to carry out defense-related missions.
đ¨đş| Como resultado del criminal ataque perpetrado por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos contra la hermana RepĂşblica Bolivariana de #Venezuela, perdieron la vida en acciones combativas 32 cubanos.#HonorYGloria
đ| https://t.co/cHs58800i9 pic.twitter.com/rRqGvYje1i
— Presidencia Cuba đ¨đş (@PresidenciaCuba) January 5, 2026
Earlier, Venezuelaâs Defense Minister, General Vladimir Padrino LĂłpez, reported that âa large partâ of Maduroâs security team had been âkilled in cold bloodâ by US troops. In a televised address, he stated: âThe Bolivarian National Armed Force strongly rejects the cowardly kidnapping of citizen NicolĂĄs Maduro Moros, constitutional president of the Republic, our commander in chief, and his wife (âŚ) an act perpetrated yesterday, Saturday, January 3, after a large part of his security team was killed in cold blood: soldiers, female soldiers, and innocent civilians.â
US President Donald Trump acknowledged casualties among Maduroâs guards during the operation. âMany Cubans died yesterday protecting Maduro,â he said on Sunday.
#Cuba declared a two-day mourning period on January 5 and 6, stating that funeral arrangements would be announced soon.https://t.co/3YThsXYQoX
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 5, 2026
The US operation took place on Saturday, when American forces attacked several locations across Venezuela and detained Maduro and his wife. During the operation, at least 40 people, both civilians and military personnel, were killed. Following the assault, Trump stated that he would assume control of Venezuela, while US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the military offensive would allow Washington to access the countryâs âwealth and additional resources.â
Maduro and Flores are scheduled to appear before a judge in New York on Monday to face charges of ânarco-terrorism.â
(Telesur)
Support Groundbreaking Anti-Imperialist Journalism: Stand with Orinoco Tribune!
For 7 years, weâve delivered unwavering truth from the Global South frontline â no corporate filters, no hidden agenda.
Last yearâs impact:
⢠More than 200K active users demanding bold perspectives
⢠216 original pieces published in 2025 alone
Fuel our truth-telling: Every contribution strengthens independent media that actually challenges imperialism.
Be the difference:Â DONATE now to keep radical journalism alive!