HAVANA — In an emotionally charged ceremony marking Cuba’s first mass funeral in decades, the nation honored 32 military officers killed during a recent operation in Venezuela. The solemn event unfolded at Havana’s airport where uniformed soldiers carried urns containing the remains of the deceased personnel amid trumpet and drum tributes.
Thousands of citizens lined the iconic streets of the capital as military vehicles transported the remains to the Ministry of the Armed Forces headquarters adjacent to Revolution Square. The ceremony featured President Miguel Díaz-Canel and former leader Raúl Castro, both appearing in military attire, standing in silent tribute alongside grieving family members.
The fatalities occurred during what Cuban authorities describe as a security protection detail for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a January 3rd raid on his residence. The deceased personnel, ranging from colonels to captains aged 26-60, were reportedly fulfilling bilateral protection agreements between Cuba and Venezuela.
This mourning ceremony occurs against escalating diplomatic tensions with the United States. The Trump administration recently issued warnings to Cuba regarding its relationship with Venezuela, threatening potential catastrophic consequences for the island nation’s already fragile energy infrastructure. In a contrasting move, the U.S. simultaneously announced $3 million in hurricane recovery aid, which Cuban officials denounced as politically motivated manipulation.
Analysts note the rarity of such state-organized funerals, with comparable ceremonies occurring only three times in the past half-century: for victims of the 1976 Cubana de Aviación bombing, casualties from Angola’s conflict in 1989, and the 1997 memorial for revolutionary Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara.
The Cuban government has announced plans for a major demonstration at the Anti-Imperialist Tribune facing the U.S. Embassy, with officials anticipating substantial public participation reflecting widespread national sentiment.