Cuba: The Cuban government has said that 32 of its nationals were killed during a US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions.
In a brief official statement, Havana said those killed were members of Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence agencies. Two days of national mourning have been declared across the country. The statement did not provide details on the exact role of the Cuban personnel in Venezuela.
However, Cuba and Venezuela are long-standing allies, with Havana historically providing security and intelligence support to Caracas in exchange for subsidised oil supplies. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that Cuban personnel had been protecting Maduro and his wife at Venezuela’s request. Miguel Díaz-Canel praised those killed, saying they had fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism.
.@SecRubio on the Cuban regime: pic.twitter.com/dHmtMDGV90
— Department of State (@StateDept) January 4, 2026
Venezuela has not officially confirmed the total number of casualties from the US raid on Maduro’s compound in Caracas. Following Maduro’s capture, speculation has grown over whether the US administration could consider similar action against Cuba, which has maintained adversarial relations with Washington for decades.
Speaking to reporters, US President Donald Trump dismissed the need for military action against Cuba, saying the country was already on the brink of collapse. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also delivered sharp criticism, describing Cuba as a disaster run by incompetent, senile men, and warned Cuban officials that they should be concerned about the direction of events.
Last July, Trump signed a memorandum tightening US restrictions on Cuba, reversing measures introduced under former president Joe Biden that had eased pressure on the island. The White House said the move was aimed at ending economic practices that benefit Cuba’s government, military and security agencies, while also enforcing stricter limits on US travel to the country.
During Trump’s first term, his administration imposed additional sanctions on Cuba and maintained the long-standing US economic embargo, despite repeated calls from international organisations, including the United Nations, for it to be lifted. The embargo has been in place since 1962.
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