Diosdado Cabello said late Wednesday that 100 people died in a U.S. raid that ousted President Nicolás Maduro, a figure that has not been independently verified. Caracas has not released an overall toll; the army published 23 names and Cuba reported 32 of its personnel killed. Cabello said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were injured, and interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a week of mourning for military casualties.
Venezuelan Official Says 100 Killed In U.S. Raid That Ousted Maduro; Figures Unverified
Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello attends a women's march toward the office of interim President Delcy Rodriguez, days after the U.S. launched a strike on Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 6, 2026. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said late on Wednesday that 100 people were killed in a U.S. raid that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power on Saturday. Cabello's claim has not been independently verified and contrasts with other available counts.
Key details
Authorities in Caracas have not released an overall death toll. The Venezuelan army published a list naming 23 service members who died, while Cuban officials reported that 32 members of Cuba's military and intelligence services in Venezuela were killed.
Cabello told state television that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores — who were detained together during the operation — were injured: he said Flores suffered a head wound and Maduro sustained a leg injury.
On Tuesday, interim President Delcy Rodríguez — whom Cabello praised on his weekly state TV program as "courageous" — declared a week of mourning for military personnel killed in the operation.
Reporting note: Reuters carried these statements. The casualty figures cited by Venezuelan and Cuban officials have not been independently confirmed and differ from the army's publicly posted list of 23 dead.
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