Venezuela Reports 100 Dead in U.S. Operation to Capture Nicolás Maduro; Cuba Confirms 32 Military Fatalities
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan officials have reported that 100 individuals were killed during a recent U.S. military operation aimed at capturing President Nicolás Maduro. The announcement came from Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who disclosed the casualty figures late Wednesday, as the country reels from the aftermath of the high-stakes mission.
The operation, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, was conducted over the weekend and led by the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force unit. According to reports, Maduro was captured in Caracas, sustaining a leg injury, while his wife, Cilia Flores, suffered a head wound during the raid. Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a week of mourning for the military personnel who lost their lives.
In addition to Venezuelan casualties, Cuba confirmed that 32 members of its armed forces died during the operation. The Cuban government stated that these forces were engaged in a mission at the request of Venezuela’s government, and they resisted fiercely against the U.S. forces. The names, ranks, and ages of the Cuban military personnel were released by Cuba’s official Communist Party newspaper, Granma, which condemned the U.S. action as an act of aggression and state terrorism.
While Venezuela and Cuba report heavy losses, a U.S. administration official told Fox News Digital that seven American service members were injured during the mission. Five of those injured have already returned to duty, with two still recovering and receiving excellent medical care. The official praised the expertise of the joint U.S. forces, emphasizing the complexity and grueling nature of the mission.
The operation’s success marked a significant development in U.S.-Venezuelan relations, with President Nicolás Maduro now in U.S. custody. A photograph shared by former President Donald Trump showed Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima following the strikes on Venezuela.
The mission’s implications extend beyond Venezuela’s borders, highlighting the involvement of Cuban forces in Venezuelan affairs and the broader geopolitical tensions in the region. The U.S. Department of Defense has not publicly released detailed information about the operation, but the event has prompted discussions in the Senate regarding war powers and military engagement in Venezuela, as documented by the U.S. Senate.
Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns are mounting as Venezuelans flee to neighboring Colombia, seeking refuge from the instability following Maduro’s capture. The U.S. Department of State is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with regional partners to address the refugee influx.
The operation underscores the ongoing challenges in the region, including the enforcement of U.S. sanctions and the strategic importance of Venezuelan oil resources. Data from the U.S. Department of Energy indicates a surge in Venezuelan crude shipments to U.S. ports following the capture, signaling potential shifts in energy dynamics.
As Venezuela mourns its dead and Cuba condemns the U.S. action, the international community watches closely, aware that the ramifications of Operation Absolute Resolve will resonate across diplomatic and security arenas for months to come.
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