Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has made a stunning revelation, confirming that there was direct combat between Venezuelan forces and United States military personnel during last week's dramatic operation that led to the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The announcement came during a solemn ceremony in Caracas honouring soldiers who lost their lives.
Ceremony for Fallen Soldiers and Accusations Against the US
Rodriguez, alongside Cuba's foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, presided over a tribute for what the Venezuelan government is calling heroes and martyrs. The ceremony was held to honour Venezuelan and Cuban military personnel killed during the strikes linked to the operation targeting Maduro. Rodriguez did not mince words, accusing the United States of launching what she termed a "vile attack" on Venezuelan sovereignty.
She framed the incident as a struggle against imperialist aggression and vowed that Venezuela would continue to resist. In a move to solidify this narrative domestically, Rodriguez announced concrete support measures for the families of the deceased soldiers and revealed plans to construct a monument in their memory.
Official Toll and National Mourning Declared
The Venezuelan government has released official casualty figures from the confrontation. According to their tally, dozens of military personnel were killed. The breakdown includes at least 23 Venezuelan officers and 32 Cuban military personnel. The significant number of Cuban casualties underscores the close military alliance between Caracas and Havana.
In response to the heavy loss of life, the Venezuelan state has declared seven days of national mourning. This period is intended to honour the soldiers who died during what the administration describes as a defensive action against foreign intervention.
Geopolitical Implications and Continued Tensions
This public confirmation of direct combat between Venezuelan and US forces marks a significant and dangerous escalation in the long-standing tensions between Washington and Caracas. The admission by a high-ranking official like Delcy Rodriguez brings the shadowy conflict into the open, raising serious questions about the scope and authorization of the US military's involvement.
The incident is likely to further strain diplomatic relations in the region and could provoke strong reactions from other nations aligned with Venezuela. The vow of continued resistance from Caracas suggests that this event is not an endpoint but potentially the beginning of a new, more volatile chapter in US-Venezuela relations.
