The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the death of Cuban bodyguards during the arrest and extraction of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas by the U.S. military.
“Honor and glory to the brave Cuban fighters who fell confronting terrorists in imperial uniforms, who kidnapped and illegally removed the President of Venezuela and his wife from their country, whose lives helped to protect ours at the request of that sister nation,” reads a Facebook post by Díaz-Canel.
"I share the pain and indignation of our people, especially with the loved ones of our brave companions. In embracing their family and friends during this unfortunate time, I reiterate my deep affection, admiration, and pride for them and their heroic behavior," he added.
The ruler omitted the names of the deceased.
Godfather on deceased bodyguards
The Minister of Defense of the Venezuelan regime, Vladimir Padrino, accused the U.S. of cold-blooded murder of a large part of the security team of the ousted president Nicolás Maduro.
In a statement from the Armed Forces of the regime, the general expressed his outright rejection of "the cowardly kidnapping" of Maduro and Cilia Flores, "after cold-bloodedly murdering much of his security team, soldiers, and innocent citizens."
Padrino also did not provide the exact number of casualties.
Trump revealed the death of Cubans
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Cubans died while trying to protect Nicolás Maduro during the U.S. military operation.
"Did you know, many Cubans lost their lives last night? Did you know that? Many Cubans lost their lives. They were protecting Maduro. That was not a good decision," Trump said in an interview with The New York Post, although he acknowledged that he does not know the exact number of fatalities, nor did he specify whether they were military personnel, advisors, or security staff sent from Cuba.
In the same interview, Trump directly linked Cuba to the support of the Venezuelan regime. "Cuba has always depended heavily on Venezuela. That's where they got their money and they protected Venezuela, but that hasn’t worked very well in this case," he stated, reinforcing the narrative of a strategic alliance that has had fatal consequences for Cuban citizens.
Collapse of Maduro's security team
The Cuban security apparatus that surrounded Nicolás Maduro and which for years functioned as his most reliable shield failed to prevent his capture during the U.S. military operation that culminated in his transfer out of Venezuela.
The incursion, carried out by the elite unit Delta Force with the support of the CIA, has highlighted the fragility of the Cuban-Venezuelan protection system, a central element of Chavista power since the death of Hugo Chávez.
Over the past decade, Havana has controlled the intelligence, counterintelligence, and presidential security in Caracas. According to reports from international media, Maduro had reinforced his escort with dozens of Cuban bodyguards, selected by the Cuban Ministry of the Interior (MININT) and the State Security Department (DSE). These agents were responsible not only for his physical protection but also for internal espionage on Venezuelan officials themselves.
The Venezuelan leader, according to intelligence sources cited by Axios and The New York Times, feared being assassinated by his own Cuban advisers if he were to leave power, due to the sensitive information he held regarding financial agreements, drug trafficking networks, and joint intelligence operations between Caracas and Havana.
“Cuba was their guardian, but also their jailer”, warned CiberCuba weeks before its fall.
Maduro frequently changed his residence, phone, and security team. He even ordered the incorporation of more G2 Cuban officials into the Venezuelan army to detect potential internal betrayals. However, this absolute dependence on Havana became his Achilles' heel.
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