Cuba says 32 of its nationals were killed during a US military operation in Caracas that seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and Havana declared two days of mourning. Prensa Latina reports the Cubans died while on missions requested by Venezuela, either in combat or from bombings. The US describes the operation as a law-enforcement action to bring Maduro to face 2020 drug-related charges. The raid has provoked international outcry, a planned UN Security Council meeting and sharp criticism from Russia, China and left-leaning regional leaders.
Cuba Says 32 Nationals Killed in US Raid That Seized Venezuela’s President Maduro
People attend a rally opposing US military action against Venezuela, on the day several similar rallies are being held in different cities, in Havana, Cuba, December 6, 2025 [Norlys Perez/ Reuters]
Cuba announced on Sunday that 32 of its citizens were killed during a United States military operation in Caracas that seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Havana declared two days of official mourning on January 5 and 6 and said funeral arrangements will be announced.
The state-run Prensa Latina agency said the Cuban personnel, described as "fighters," were killed while "carrying out missions" on behalf of Cuba's military at the request of the Venezuelan government. Prensa Latina reported that the Cubans "fell in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombing of the facilities" after offering what it called "fierce resistance."
What Happened
According to US authorities, the operation was a law-enforcement action to detain Maduro and bring him to the United States to face criminal charges filed in 2020, including alleged conspiracies related to drug trafficking and "narco-terrorism." Maduro and his wife were flown to New York following the operation; the 63-year-old leader is due to appear in US court on Monday and has denied criminal involvement.
Reactions Inside Venezuela
Images of Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed by US forces have shocked many Venezuelans. Defence Minister General Vladimir Padrino told state television that the US attack killed soldiers, civilians and much of Maduro’s security detail "in cold blood," and said Venezuela’s armed forces had been activated to "guarantee sovereignty."
US Statement
Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One, US President Donald Trump said "there was a lot of death on the other side" and claimed "a lot of Cubans" were killed while asserting there were "no deaths on our side." He also suggested strategic motives including securing access to Venezuela's oil reserves and addressing migration flows, and made a controversial remark that "Cuba is ready to fall."
International Response and Legal Questions
The operation has prompted widespread diplomatic fallout. The United Nations Security Council planned an emergency meeting to discuss the raid. Russia and China—major backers of Venezuela—condemned the action: Beijing called on the US to "stop toppling the government of Venezuela" and described the raid as a "clear violation of international law," while Moscow called the abduction an "act of armed aggression."
Regional reaction was divided: left-leaning leaders in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Mexico largely condemned the removal of Maduro, whereas several right-leaning governments in the region welcomed it. International legal experts and many governments have questioned the legality of abducting a sitting head of state and called for respect for international law.
Next Steps
Havana said it will announce funeral arrangements for the Cuban nationals who were killed. The UN Security Council discussion, responses from global capitals, and upcoming court proceedings in New York are likely to shape the diplomatic and political fallout in the coming days.
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