By Cuba Mourns Losses Following U.S. Raid in Venezuela
Regional Fallout: Cuba Mourns Losses Following U.S. Raid in Venezuela
The geopolitical landscape of the Caribbean has shifted dramatically following a high-stakes American military operation in Caracas. As details of the weekend raid emerge, the Cuban government has confirmed that 32 of its nationals were killed while providing security for the now captured Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro.
Havana has declared two days of national mourning to honor the fallen personnel, whom it identified as members of its elite intelligence and military branches. According to Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, these officers were stationed in Venezuela “at the request” of the local government to provide protection for Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The Human Cost of the Operation
While the U.S. has celebrated the capture as a victory against “narco-terrorism,” the human toll on the ground continues to rise. Reports from the region suggest a significant loss of life:
• Cuban Casualties: 32 confirmed dead, described by Havana as having shown “fierce resistance.”
• Total Estimated Toll: Unofficial reports cited by The New York Times suggest the death toll from the airstrikes and ground raid could exceed 80 people.
• U.S. Status: President Trump stated that there were “no deaths on our side” during the extraction.
Washington Shifts Focus to Havana
The capture of Maduro has immediately fueled speculation regarding the future of U.S.-Cuba relations. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have used the momentum of the Venezuelan operation to issue pointed warnings to the leadership in Havana.
Speaking to the press, President Trump suggested that further military action against Cuba might not be necessary, claiming the island is a “failing nation” that is “going down for the count” due to the loss of Venezuelan oil subsidies. Secretary Rubio echoed this sentiment, describing the Cuban government as being in “a lot of trouble” and warning officials in Havana to be “concerned.”
A Return to “Maximum Pressure”
The current administration has signaled a total reversal of the “thaw” in relations seen in previous years. The White House has committed to:
• Strict Economic Embargo: Reinforcing the decades-old blockade initially established in 1962.
• Travel Restrictions: Stringently enforcing bans on American visits to the island.
• Targeting Agencies: Ending practices that benefit Cuba’s military and intelligence sectors.
As Nicolás Maduro prepares for his court appearance in New York, the sudden absence of Venezuelan support leaves Cuba in its most vulnerable economic and diplomatic position in decades.
