The Ministry of the Interior of Cuba (MININT) reported this Sunday that 32 Cuban escorts died during the arrest and extraction of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas by the U.S. military.
"As a result of the criminal attack carried out by the government of the United States against the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, executed in the early morning of January 3, 2026, 32 Cubans lost their lives in combat actions, who were on missions representing the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, at the request of counterpart organizations from the South American country," reads a post on Facebook by MINIT
"Faithful to their responsibilities for security and defense, our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism and fell, after a fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of the bombings on the facilities," they added.
The MININT did not disclose the identities of the deceased but stated that "once their identities were verified, the families of our fallen comrades were informed and received heartfelt condolences and support from Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, and from the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, as well as from the leadership of both ministries."
"Victims of a new criminal act of aggression and state terrorism, the fighters managed to uphold with their heroic actions the solidarity felt by millions of compatriots. The Revolutionary Government will organize the appropriate actions to pay them the tribute they deserve," the note concludes.
Shortly before, 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 illegally kidnapped and took the President of Venezuela and his wife out of their country, whose lives helped protect ours at the request of that sister nation,” reads a Facebook post by Díaz-Canel.
"I share the pain and indignation with our people and especially with the loved ones of our brave colleagues. While embracing their family and friends in this unfortunate hour, I reiterate my deep affection, admiration, and pride for them and their heroic conduct," he added.
Trump revealed the death of Cubans
On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Cubans died while trying to protect Nicolás Maduro during the U.S. military operation.
"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 deceased, nor specified 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 didn’t work out very well in this case,” he stated, reinforcing the narrative of a strategic alliance that had fatal consequences for Cuban citizens.
Collapse of Maduro's security team
The Cuban security apparatus that surrounded Nicolás Maduro and for years served as his most reliable shield failed to prevent his capture during the U.S. military operation that resulted in his removal from Venezuela.
The incursion, carried out by the elite unit Delta Force with support from the CIA, has highlighted the fragility of the Cuban-Venezuelan protection system, a central piece of Chavista power since the death of Hugo Chávez.
During the last decade, Havana controlled the intelligence, counterintelligence, and presidential security in Caracas. According to reports from international media, Maduro had reinforced his security detail with dozens of Cuban bodyguards, selected by Cuba's Ministry of 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 ruler, according to intelligence sources cited by Axios and The New York Times, feared being assassinated by his own Cuban advisors if he lost power, due to the sensitive information he held regarding financial agreements, drug trafficking networks, and joint intelligence operations between Caracas and Havana.
“Cuba was his guardian, but also his jailer”, warned CiberCuba weeks before his downfall.
Filed under:
