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Cuba Mourns 32 Killed in US Venezuela Op as Trump Warns Havana

Cuba has announced two days of national mourning after 32 of its military personnel were killed during a US-led military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of deposed leader Nicolas Maduro. The Cuban personnel were reportedly deployed in Venezuela at the government's request and were killed in clashes or airstrikes. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned that the Cuban government is near collapse, having lost its major source of income from Venezuelan oil. Maduro and his wife have been flown to New York to face drug-related charges, an arrest Venezuela's defense minister condemned as a "kidnapping."

Key Points: Cuba Mourns 32 Dead in Venezuela, Trump Warns of Collapse

  • 32 Cuban military personnel killed in US Venezuela operation
  • Cuba declares two days of national mourning
  • Maduro captured, flown to US for drug charges
  • Trump warns Cuba has lost vital Venezuelan oil income
  • Venezuela's defense minister condemns arrest as "kidnapping"
3 min read

Cuba mourns 32 killed in Venezuela operation as Trump threatens Cuba

Cuba declares mourning for 32 personnel killed in US operation in Venezuela that captured Maduro, as Trump warns Cuban government is near collapse.

"Cuba is ready to fall. They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. - Donald Trump"

Havana, January 5

Cuba on Sunday announced that 32 of its citizens were killed during the United States military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife in the capital, Caracas.

The Cuban government said it would observe two days of national mourning on January 5 and January 6 to honour those killed in the operation. Officials in Havana said funeral arrangements would be announced at a later stage.

Cuba's state-run news agency Prensa Latina said the deceased were Cuban military personnel who had been deployed in Venezuela on official missions. According to the report, they were operating at the request of the Venezuelan government when the US-led operation took place.

The Cuban personnel were killed either during direct clashes with attacking forces or as a result of air strikes on military facilities. It added that they offered resistance before being killed, Al Jazeera reported.

Cuba has been a close ally of Venezuela for several years and has deployed military and police personnel in the country to support the government of deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump also issued a warning to Cuba on Sunday, saying he believed the Cuban government was close to collapse.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Cuba had lost a major source of income following US operation in Venezuela.

"Cuba is ready to fall. Cuba looks like it's ready to fall," Trump said. "They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. They're not getting any of it now."

Trump also issued warnings directed at Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Denmark in a single day.

Following the operation in Venezuela, Maduro and his wife were flown to New York by US authorities. The 63-year-old deposed dictator is expected to appear before a US court on Monday to face drug-related charges. Maduro has repeatedly denied any involvement in criminal activities.

Images showing Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed while being escorted by US forces have circulated widely on social media and shocked many people across Venezuela.

Venezuela's Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez strongly condemned the arrest, describing it as a "kidnapping" and demanding the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, according to local media reports.

The New York Times, citing a Venezuelan official, reported that at least 40 people may have been killed during the US operation.

Washington described the action as a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela. US officials said Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country during the operation.

Earlier, Trump told Fox News that there were only a few injuries and no deaths on the US side. He praised the US armed forces for carrying out what he described as a complex and highly professional operation.

"It was amazing to see the professionalism and the quality of leadership," Trump said. "To have a few injuries, but no deaths on our side, is really amazing, " said Trump.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Trump's comments about Cuba "ready to fall" are so insensitive when they've just announced national mourning. Have some decency. The world isn't just about your political games. My heart goes out to the Cuban people today. 🇨🇺
R
Rohit P
From an Indian perspective, this shows the dangers of getting entangled in other nations' internal conflicts. Cuba was there on an "official mission," but now their soldiers are dead on foreign soil. We must always prioritize our own sovereignty and avoid such entanglements.
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Sarah B
The article says the Cuban personnel "offered resistance." If they were in military facilities supporting Maduro's regime, which the US and many others consider illegitimate, they were legitimate targets in a military operation. It's tragic, but that's the reality of being deployed in a conflict zone.
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Vikram M
The image of a blindfolded, handcuffed former head of state is shocking, I agree. But let's not forget why he's being charged. The drug trade has ruined countless lives in our own region too. If the charges are true, he must face justice. The method of capture, however, sets a dangerous precedent for international law.
K
Kavya N
So many lives lost on all sides. The Venezuelan official says maybe 40 dead. Trump says "a few injuries, no deaths" on the US side. The disparity is stark and speaks volumes. This isn't just an operation; it's an invasion with a high human cost that others are paying. Very sad.

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