Thirty-two Cubans Killed During US Attack on Venezuela
The US conducted a series of airstrikes targeting Venezuela as an elite military unit advanced toward Nicolás Maduro’s compound. According to the Cuban government, 32 of its nationals lost their lives during this operation aimed at seizing the Venezuelan leader. This tragedy has prompted Cuba to declare two days of national mourning.
Details of the Incident
– The deceased were identified as members of Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence agencies, described by officials as having engaged in combat actions.
– The Cuban armed forces asserted that these individuals fell after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of bombardments of installations.
– As a long-standing ally of Venezuela, Cuba has historically provided Maduro with personal security, maintaining personnel throughout the Venezuelan military.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that the security support for Maduro and his wife was extended at the request of the Venezuelan government.
US Intelligence Operations
US General Dan Caine revealed that spies had been monitoring Maduro’s movements for months leading up to the strikes. He specified that they had gathered detailed information on where Maduro lived, traveled, dined, and worked. Reports from The New York Times indicated that the CIA had cultivated a Venezuelan source who relayed Maduro’s exact location to American forces.
Many of those killed are believed to have been part of Maduro’s close security detail, present with him during the attack. Venezuelan armed forces reported that a large part of Maduro’s security team also suffered casualties, but the government has not confirmed the total death toll. The total figure, cited by an unnamed Venezuelan official to The New York Times, is reported to be around 80, with expectations of further casualties.
An official statement from the Cuban government expressed, Our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism.
Implications for Cuba
In the days following the attack, concerns have emerged regarding potential US military actions against Cuba. US President Donald Trump suggested that such action may not be necessary, claiming that Cuba is ready to fall. He stated, I don’t think we need any action. Looks like it’s going down. It’s going down for the count.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed these sentiments, calling Cuba a disaster run by incompetent, senile men. He remarked, If I lived in Havana, and I was in the government, I’d be concerned—at least a little bit.
Triggers for Increased Tensions
In July of the previous year, Trump signed a memorandum reinstating stricter regulations on Cuba, reversing prior easing measures by his predecessor, Joe Biden. The White House articulated its intent to cease economic practices that disproportionately benefit the Cuban government, military, intelligence, or security agencies at the expense of the Cuban people, while pledging to enforce existing visitation restrictions for Americans traveling to Cuba.
During his tenure, Trump had already introduced a series of sanctions aimed at Cuba, maintaining a longstanding economic embargo that has been in place since its inception in 1962 despite calls for its cessation from international organizations such as the United Nations.
Conclusion
The tragic deaths of the 32 Cubans during the US attack on Venezuela underscore the escalating tensions in the region. As the situation unfolds, the implications for both Venezuela and Cuba remain uncertain, leaving room for further international discourse and action.