The Cuban casualties in US Venezuela operation have become one of the most reported and controversial aspects of the U.S. military raid that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on January 3, 2026. Both U.S. and Cuban officials have now confirmed that dozens of Cuban military and security personnel were killed during the high-stakes operation, raising serious questions about international law, foreign intervention, and human cost.
Cuba Confirms the Loss of 32 Soldiers
Cuba’s government has officially acknowledged that Cuban casualties in US Venezuela operation total 32 officers, all of whom were stationed in Venezuela at the request of the Venezuelan government to assist with security and defense tasks. Havana has described these deaths as occurring with dignity and heroism either in direct combat against U.S. forces or as a result of heavy bombardment.
State media and government statements noted that the fallen Cuban personnel were part of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior and were killed while fulfilling missions jointly agreed upon with Venezuelan authorities. Cuba declared two days of national mourning in their honor, with flags flown at half-mast and official condolences conveyed by President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Broader Fatality Figures
According to both Venezuelan and Cuban official counts, the Cuban casualties in US Venezuela operation are part of a larger death toll. Venezuelan authorities reported that at least 24 of their own military personnel were killed during the raid, bringing the combined known military fatalities to 56. Additional reports though not yet fully confirmed suggest that civilian casualties may also have occurred amid the explosions and ground combat in Caracas.
Despite these losses, U.S. forces reported no deaths among their personnel, though several soldiers were injured. U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that many were killed on the other side, specifically referring to Cuban and allied forces, while lauding the raid as an effective military action.
Why Cuban Forces Were in Venezuela
The presence of Cuban troops in Venezuela is rooted in long-standing cooperation between the two countries. For many years, Cuba has provided military advisors, intelligence support, and security personnel to assist the Venezuelan government. Analysts note that President Maduro relied heavily on Cuban officers for his inner security detail, a practice that was confirmed publicly only after the raid.
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have also acknowledged the prominent role Cuban personnel played within Maduro’s security apparatus, saying that Cuban involvement extended across Venezuela’s internal security structures.
International Reactions and Controversy
The Cuban casualties in US Venezuela operation have intensified global debate over the legality and morality of the raid. Cuba’s Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. action as a violation of international law and human rights, framing it as an unjustified attack on allied forces engaged in official duties. Venezuelan leadership echoed this view, denouncing the operation as an act of aggression.
United Nations human rights officials and several governments have criticized the unilateral military action, suggesting it sets a dangerous precedent for state sovereignty and regional stability. The raid has been described by some diplomats as a breach of international norms, particularly because it involved a direct assault on a national leader within his own country without UN Security Council authorization.
U.S. Defense and Strategic Narrative
In defending the operation, U.S. officials have portrayed it as a law enforcement action against an indicted criminal Nicolás Maduro who faces serious federal charges in New York, including drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracy. The U.S. government argues that the mission was focused on protecting national security and combating international organized crime, even as global criticism grows.
President Trump and his supporters also highlighted tactical success and the absence of American fatalities, describing the raid as a precise and necessary strike. However, the emphasis on Cuban deaths has raised questions about broader strategic and ethical implications.
What This Means Going Forward
The Cuban casualties in US Venezuela operation have added a new and controversial layer to an already volatile geopolitical situation. Families in Cuba and Venezuela mourn their dead, while debates continue in capitals around the world about the legality and repercussions of such unilateral military actions.
As tensions escalate and diplomatic fallout spreads, the military and human toll of this event will likely influence international relations in the Western Hemisphere for years to come. Whether it leads to further confrontations, negotiations, or shifts in foreign policy remains uncertain—but the losses suffered by Cuban personnel are now firmly part of the broader narrative surrounding this unprecedented raid.
