A reported 80 people, including both soldiers and civilians, have been killed in a US military operation aimed at abducting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, according to a senior Venezuelan official. The incident has sparked a significant escalation in tensions between Venezuela and the United States.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez confirmed that US forces killed a substantial number of President Maduro’s security personnel during the operation, though he did not provide a specific figure. Venezuelan officials have also accused the US of targeting civilian areas, but an official death toll has not been released.
Cuba has announced that 32 of its citizens, including military personnel, lost their lives in the attack. In response, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has declared January 5th and 6th as official days of mourning. The Cuban leader praised the deceased, stating that they “fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism” and fell during fierce resistance against the attackers or as a result of the bombings.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto paid tribute to the deceased Cubans, describing the US raid as a “criminal and infamous” attack. US President Donald Trump confirmed that no American troops were killed, but suggested that some service members may have been injured. According to unnamed US officials, about half a dozen soldiers were wounded during the operation.
The US has stated that the airstrikes were intended to provide cover for seizing President Maduro, who faces charges of drug trafficking and weapons offenses in the US. Venezuela’s leadership has consistently denied allegations of involvement in the drug trade, arguing that these charges serve as a pretext for regime change.
The incident has significant implications for regional and international relations, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Venezuela and the US. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is watching closely, awaiting further developments and potential responses from affected nations.
