In a dramatic military operation that has reshaped Venezuela's political landscape, United States forces killed at least 55 Venezuelan and Cuban military and security personnel during a raid to capture former President Nicolás Maduro. The casualty figures were confirmed separately by the governments in Caracas and Havana on Tuesday, January 6, as reported by AFP.
High Casualty Toll in Daring Operation
Venezuela's military, in its first official confirmation of losses, stated that 23 of its service members were killed during the US attacks on Saturday. The assault ultimately led to Maduro's removal from power. Caracas has not yet provided an official count of civilian deaths resulting from the operation.
In a separate announcement, Cuba confirmed a significant loss of its own. Authorities in Havana reported that 32 members of its armed forces and interior ministry security personnel died in the raids. These individuals were assigned to duties in the Venezuelan capital. The ages of the deceased Cuban personnel ranged from 26 to 67 and included high-ranking officers such as two colonels and a lieutenant colonel.
Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez indicated that many of the Cuban casualties were likely part of Nicolás Maduro's personal security detail, which was "largely wiped out" during the intense assault.
How the Capture Unfolded and Immediate Aftermath
The operation began with US bombing raids targeting key military installations. Following the aerial bombardment, American special forces arrived by helicopter to storm a compound where Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were located. The couple was successfully seized and later flown to New York.
In a New York court on Monday, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to charges including drug trafficking. Hours after this court appearance, a swift political transition occurred back in Venezuela. Maduro's former deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as the country's interim president.
A New Leader Faces US Demands and Internal Pressure
The United States has quickly set terms for its future relationship with the new Venezuelan leadership. US President Donald Trump stated he is willing to cooperate with Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, but only if she meets specific American demands. According to AFP, these conditions include granting US companies access to Venezuela's vast oil reserves.
Rodríguez now faces a complex balancing act. She must navigate the pressure from Washington while simultaneously trying to retain the loyalty of Maduro's supporters. This is a particularly delicate task given that hardline elements, who control the security forces and paramilitary groups patrolling the streets since Maduro's capture, remain a powerful force.
The environment remains tense, as evidenced by incidents involving the press. A journalists' union reported that 14 journalists, most of whom were working for foreign media outlets, were detained on Monday while covering Rodríguez's inauguration at the parliament. In a separate incident, two other foreign journalists were detained near the Colombian border. All journalists were later released.
