Tens Of Cubans Killed In U.S. Operation to Capture and Extract Nicolás Maduro, Havana Says

In the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 3, the United States carried out a military raid in Caracas, Venezuela, aimed at capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Ever since, reports that emerged indicate the raid left at least 80 people dead, including both military personnel and civilians.

On Jan. 5, Cuba announced that 32 of its citizens were killed during the operation while carrying out missions on behalf of the Cuban Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry.

The Cuban presidential office disclosed the deaths in a statement published on its official Facebook page.

"Faithful to their responsibilities for security and defense, our compatriots honorably and heroically fulfilled their duty and fell after fierce resistance in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of bombardments of the facilities," the statement said.

Cuba described the U.S. strikes as a criminal act of aggression and state terrorism and said the government would honor those who were killed. Havana, a close ally of the Maduro regime, has long provided Caracas with support in the form of armed troops and intelligence.

According to The New York Times, a senior Venezuelan official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the death toll was at least 80 and included members of the military, civilians and a significant portion of Maduro's security team.

President Donald Trump said no Americans were killed. Two U.S. officials, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said about six U.S. soldiers were injured during the operation.

U.S. raid targeted military bases

Hours after the raid, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a news conference that the operation lasted nearly two and a half hours and involved about 150 aircraft. He said the aircraft were used to dismantle Venezuelan air defenses, allowing military helicopters to transport troops into Caracas.

As reported by The New York Post, the military base that suffered the most damage was Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest and most significant complex in Caracas. Satellite images taken before and after the strike show multiple structures reduced to rubble, with blast damage cutting across large sections of the base.

Witnesses also reported strikes at La Carlota, a military airfield where defensive positions and runways were disabled.

Damage extended beyond the capital's bases. At La Guaira, a strategic port that handles military and commercial logistics, containers and dock infrastructure were hit, according to local accounts.

Residents near the targeted areas told local outlets the military operation sparked secondary explosions and fires.

Across Caracas, residents described hours of loud detonations and aircraft flying overhead. Power outages were reported in several neighborhoods as crowds moved into the streets, documenting the unfolding events with photos and videos shared online.