The Cuban government has confirmed the deaths of 32 nationals during a U.S. military operation targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s compound in Caracas. According to official statements, the deceased were members of Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence agencies who had been providing security protection to Maduro and his wife at Venezuela’s request. The Cuban presidency described the fatalities as occurring ‘after fierce resistance’ during direct combat with American forces or resulting from aerial bombardments.
While Venezuela has not released official casualty figures, unnamed sources cited by The New York Times suggest the death toll may reach 80 with numbers potentially rising. The operation, which resulted in Maduro’s capture on Saturday, has triggered two days of national mourning in Cuba and raised questions about potential U.S. actions against other adversarial nations.
In response to developments, President Donald Trump indicated military action against Cuba would be unnecessary, stating the country appeared ‘ready to fall’ without intervention. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meanwhile characterized Cuba’s leadership as ‘incompetent, senile men’ and suggested government officials in Havana should be concerned.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of tightened U.S. restrictions on Cuba, with Trump having signed a memorandum in July reversing earlier policies that eased pressure on the Caribbean nation. The current administration has maintained economic practices that specifically target Cuban government, military, and intelligence agencies while strengthening enforcement of travel restrictions for American citizens.
The longstanding U.S. embargo on Cuba, initially imposed in 1962 and continuously maintained despite United Nations calls for its termination, continues to shape bilateral relations between the two nations.