The official Cuban communicator Pedro Jorge Velázquez, known on social media as El Necio, was involved in a heated confrontation with the nephew of Venezuelan politician Diosdado Cabello, after the latter claimed that the 32 Cubans who died during the U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro "were doing their job and were being paid for it" and that they had failed in their mission.
The exchange, which took place on August 29, began when Alejandro Rondón (@ArondonFT) responded on X to several spokespeople of chavismo and Cuban communism, stating that the 32 Cubans were "people who were doing their job and were being paid for it. They didn’t do that for free, or were the Cuban personnel in Venezuela living on patriotism?"
Rondón went further by stating that "to die is to fail" and questioned the performance of the Cubans because "their role was to protect the President and they failed to do so."
El Necio reacted by fervently defending the deceased: "32 men who didn't flee like the others, who were also paid to do so, but they stood their ground and left their own president behind. There are dignified Venezuelans who have told us and expressed gratitude for the loyalty. 'Homeland or Death' is indeed real for us."
Furthermore, El Necio interpreted Rondón's statements as an accusation of mercenarism and reacted with indignation. "I CANNOT HOLD BACK when there is an attempt to blaspheme and offend Cuban heroes. First, he calls them mercenaries, and then he claims that they 'failed,'" he wrote on Facebook.
He also highlighted the alleged family connection of his interlocutor with the Chavista leader: "And it wouldn't be so serious if it weren't for the fact that they recognize him on social media as 'nephew of Diosdado Cabello.' There are families and a community still mourning their dead, and the spilled blood must be respected!"
The confrontation escalated when Rondón accused the Cuban communicator of having received allowances during his visits to Venezuela: "Return the allowances that you were given when you came here to play favorites."
Velázquez responded that money was not the matter under discussion: "We do not respect for payment or salaries. That, apparently, is your manual. We respect principles. And at the very least, you do not have any."
The 32 deceased Cubans —including members of MININT and FAR— died on January 3 during the U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Maduro.
The Cuban government declared two days of national mourning and presented them as heroes. The Venezuelan Parliament also formally recognized them, while a monument in their honor was inaugurated in Caracas in June.
The controversy arises after El Necio criticized the government of Delcy Rodríguez for reaching a petroleum agreement with the United States while Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis.
On that occasion, he specifically remembered the 32 deceased and stated that Havana must take into account the actions of Caracas "especially after the 32 Cuban heroes who died defending Venezuela against the invaders."
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