Cuba Reports 32 Soldiers Killed in U.S. Strike on Venezuela

> At a Glance

> – Cuba says 32 of its troops died during a U.S. military operation in Venezuela

> – Victims were 26-67 years old and served in the Revolutionary Armed Forces or Interior Ministry

> – Havana calls the incident “state terrorism” and decreed two days of national mourning

> – Why it matters: The claim marks a major escalation in U.S.-Cuba-Venezuela tensions

Cuba’s Communist Party announced that 32 Cuban soldiers died while conducting security missions in Venezuela during what it describes as a U.S. strike that also led to President Nicolás Maduro‘s capture.

Havana’s Account of the Incident

A party statement posted on January 6, 2026 labeled the event “a new criminal act of aggression and state terrorism” against Venezuela and said the Cubans died “in combat and after fierce resistance.”

State-run outlet Granma reported the dead were members of:

• Revolutionary Armed Forces
• Ministry of the Interior

Both groups were operating alongside Venezuelan authorities, according to the same source.

Casualties by the Numbers

The 32 fatalities ranged from 26 to 67 years old and included:

Government and party leaders have already sent condolence messages to the victims’ families, officials said.

Aftermath and Reaction

Authorities declared:

• Two days of national mourning
• Official ceremonies to honor the dead

Cuba previously denied having military personnel in Venezuela, though it has long faced accusations of embedding security staff inside humanitarian missions.

Key Takeaways

• Havana publicly acknowledges its military presence in Venezuela for the first time
• The U.S. has not confirmed carrying out the alleged strike
• 32 Cuban families are in mourning as official ceremonies are planned
• The episode could further strain Washington’s relations with both Caracas and Havana

The Communist Party closed its statement by praising the fallen as defenders of Venezuela’s sovereignty.