Politics More than 30 Cubans killed in US attack on Venezuela
The US military attack on Venezuela and the capture of authoritarian head of state Nicolás Maduro also resulted in the deaths of 32 members of Cuban security forces. They had been sent to the South American country at the request of the Venezuelan authorities, according to the ruling Communist Party of Cuba.
05.01.2026, 03:49
05.01.2026, 03:50
SDA
"True to their responsibility for security and defense, our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism and fell after fierce resistance in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombing of the facilities," the statement said.
Cubans have been deployed in Venezuela for many years
According to experts, security forces from ally Cuba have been deployed in Venezuela for years. Among other things, Cuban intelligence agents are said to be helping to keep soldiers of the armed forces in line.
Cuban bodyguards are also said to have been primarily responsible for Maduro's personal security. "Many Cubans were killed yesterday trying to protect him," said US President Donald Trump. The Venezuelan Ministry of Defense announced that "a large part" of Maduro's security team had been killed in the US operation.
US special forces arrest Maduro
On Saturday night, the USA attacked a number of targets in Venezuela, captured the authoritarian President Maduro and took him out of the country. He is to be tried in New York for drug offenses.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the government in Cuba as a "huge problem". He said this on US broadcaster NBC News when asked whether the US attack on Venezuela would now be followed by action against Cuba. He did not want to talk about future steps by the US government with regard to Cuba. "But I think it's no secret that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime." The latter has supported Venezuela's ousted head of state Maduro, Rubio continued.
Cuba has been an arch-enemy of the USA for decades
Cuba has been ruled by an authoritarian regime since the victory of the revolution in 1959. The Communist Party controls the state, economy and society. Other parties are not permitted on the socialist Caribbean island. According to human rights activists, over 1,000 political prisoners are in custody. Relations between Havana and Washington have been tense for decades - Donald Trump has reversed steps towards a cautious rapprochement under US President Barack Obama.
