In a dramatic military operation that has reshaped the political landscape of Venezuela, US forces killed at least 55 Venezuelan and Cuban military and security personnel during a raid that resulted in the capture and ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Official tolls released by the governments of Caracas and Havana on Tuesday confirmed the heavy human cost of the assault.
Details of the Fatal Operation
Venezuela’s military, for the first time, confirmed that 23 of its service members died in the US attacks that took place on Saturday. Authorities have not yet provided an official number for civilian casualties. In a separate statement, Cuba disclosed that 32 members of its armed forces and interior ministry security personnel, who were deployed in Caracas, lost their lives in the same operation.
The Cuban casualties, whose ages ranged from 26 to 67, included high-ranking officers such as two colonels and one lieutenant colonel. Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López indicated that many of the slain Cuban personnel were likely part of Maduro’s personal security detail, which was largely wiped out during the assault.
Maduro's Capture and Aftermath
The operation commenced with bombing raids on key military targets. It culminated with US special forces landing by helicopter to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from a secure compound. The couple was subsequently flown to New York, where they appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges including drug trafficking.
Following the court appearance, Maduro’s former deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, was swiftly sworn in as the interim president. US President Donald Trump stated he was willing to cooperate with Rodríguez, but only if she meets his demands to grant US companies access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Political Challenges and International Reaction
Rodríguez now faces the immense challenge of balancing US pressure with maintaining the support of Maduro loyalists within the powerful security establishment. In an effort to project stability, she has aligned herself with hardliners from the former administration, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defence Minister Padrino López, both of whom have retained their positions.
International concerns were voiced by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who on Tuesday urged Washington to ensure Maduro receives a “fair trial.” Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado, in an interview with Fox News, strongly criticised the new interim president, calling Rodríguez a main architect of “torture, persecution, corruption, narcotrafficking” and an untrustworthy ally of Russia, China, and Iran.
President Trump, while publicly backing Rodríguez so far, issued a warning, stating she would face consequences if she failed to follow Washington’s agenda. He also made strong allegations against Maduro, calling him a “violent guy” who “killed millions of people.”
Path to Elections and Future Promises
According to Venezuela’s constitution, once Maduro is formally declared absent, elections must be held within 30 days. Opposition figure María Corina Machado expressed supreme confidence in such a vote, telling Fox News, “In free and fair elections, we will win by over 90 percent of the votes, I have no doubt about it.”
She pledged an ambitious plan to transform Venezuela into the “energy hub of the Americas,” dismantle criminal structures, and facilitate the return of millions of Venezuelans who fled the country. In a notable gesture, Machado also said she would give her Nobel prize to Donald Trump, clarifying she has not spoken to the US president since October 10.
The situation remains tense, with reports of media repression surfacing. A journalists’ union reported that 14 journalists and media workers, mostly from foreign outlets, were detained while covering Rodríguez’s inauguration at parliament on Monday. Two other foreign journalists were held near the Colombian border. All were later released.
