Cuba claims that a US raid that apprehended Maduro of Venezuela killed 32 citizens

Cuba has declared a period of national mourning following the deaths of 32 military and intelligence personnel during the US operation aimed at capturing Maduro.

On Sunday, the Cuban government reported that 32 of its citizens lost their lives during the US military raid in Venezuela, which resulted in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, further escalating regional tensions in the aftermath of the significant operation.

Havana stated succinctly that all individuals who lost their lives were part of Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence services. The government has announced January 5 and 6 as national days of mourning, stating that further details regarding funeral arrangements will be provided later. Cuban authorities reported that the personnel lost their lives while performing security and defense duties, characterizing their actions as “dignified and heroic” in the face of intense combat and bombardment of facilities targeted during the raid.

Cuba has historically offered security and intelligence assistance to Maduro’s government, although it is uncertain how many Cuban personnel were protecting the Venezuelan leader during the operation and how many were killed in other locations during the assault. The event signifies one of the most severe reported casualties for Cuba associated with its engagement in Venezuela.

On Saturday, US forces apprehended Maduro, 63, along with his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas and transported them to the United States. He is presently in custody at a detention center in New York, awaiting a court appearance regarding drug-related charges. In 2020, US prosecutors indicted the Venezuelan leader on charges that included conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, a claim he has persistently denied.