Cuba’s confirmation that 32 of its officers were killed during a US military operation in Venezuela marks a sharp escalation in the fallout from Washington’s decision to detain President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas. The deaths, acknowledged by Havana on Sunday, represent the first official casualty count linked to the American strikes and underscore the depth of Cuba’s security involvement in Venezuela, long described by US officials as central to Maduro’s survival.

According to a statement read on Cuban state television late Sunday, the officers—drawn from military and police units—were operating in Venezuela at the request of the Caracas government. Havana declared two days of national mourning on January 5 and 6, with funeral arrangements to be announced later. Former president Raúl Castro and current President Miguel Díaz-Canel sent official condolences to the families, while authorities said the identities and specific assignments of those killed had not yet been released.

“Direct Combat” and Air Strikes

Cuba’s state-run Prensa Latina agency described the dead as “fighters” who were killed either in “direct combat against the attackers” or as a result of air strikes on facilities where they were stationed. In its official statement, the government said those killed “fulfilled their responsibilities with honor and heroism,” falling during clashes or bombing raids linked to the US operation.

The scale of the losses had been the subject of widespread speculation across the island over the weekend. US President Donald Trump appeared to confirm Cuban casualties on Saturday, telling reporters that “a lot of Cubans” had been killed. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said, “There was a lot of death on the other side. We had no casualties.”

Maduro’s Removal and Regional Shockwaves

The US operation resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife, who were flown to New York to face prosecution under a 2020 indictment accusing the Venezuelan leader of involvement in a “narco-terrorism” conspiracy. Maduro, 63, has previously denied any criminal wrongdoing and is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Images circulating from Caracas showing Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed stunned Venezuelans and triggered an immediate security response. Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said on state television that soldiers, civilians and “a large part” of Maduro’s security detail were killed “in cold blood.” He announced the activation of Venezuela’s armed forces to “guarantee sovereignty.”

US Accusations and Cuba’s Role

Washington has repeatedly argued that Cuba plays a decisive role in sustaining Maduro’s rule. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said over the weekend that Cuba effectively runs Venezuela’s internal security apparatus. “Maduro’s guards — this is well known — including the intelligence services, were all Cuban,” Rubio said, adding that the regime was “kept in power by Cubans.”

Cuba has for years provided Venezuela with military advisers, intelligence personnel and police support, forming a pillar of the bilateral alliance that also includes energy cooperation. The US attack has been described by analysts as the most controversial American intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, 37 years ago.

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the operation. Russia and China, both key backers of Venezuela, have criticized the US action, with Beijing calling it a “clear violation of international law” and Moscow expressing “extreme concern” over the detention of Maduro and his wife.