The Cuban government released the identities, ranks, and ages of the 32 Cuban military members who died during the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. The fallen soldiers, including colonels, lieutenants, majors, captains, and reserve soldiers, ranged in age from 26 to 60. These personnel were affiliated with Cuba’s key security agencies, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and the Ministry of the Interior. Details about their specific roles and causes of death were not disclosed.
Cuban state media shared information and photos of the deceased officers dressed in olive-green military attire. Following the incident, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez expressed Cuba’s readiness to defend against any U.S. intervention and mourned the loss of lives in the mission to protect their nation.
The Cuban government acknowledged the deaths of these officers, emphasizing their valor and sacrifice in defending their country during the confrontation. As Cuba and Venezuela have a history of close ties with agreements spanning security to energy, the extent of military cooperation between the two nations remains relatively undisclosed.
The tragic event spurred reactions internationally, with the Organization of American States convening a special meeting to address the situation. Amid differing viewpoints on the strike, U.S. Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto defended the action as a targeted law enforcement operation against a criminal, stressing the U.S.’s commitment to a democratic future for Venezuela. The meeting witnessed strong condemnations of the strike from various countries, citing concerns about sovereignty and international law violations.