Cuban Nationals Killed in U.S. Airstrike on Venezuela

Thirty-two Cuban nationals were killed during a U.S. airstrike on targets in Venezuela, the Cuban government reported. The deceased were identified as members of the Cuban armed forces and intelligence agencies providing security to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The U.S. airstrike targeted locations in Venezuela as an elite military unit advanced toward Maduro's compound, according to reports. Cuba, a long-standing ally of Venezuela, stated that its personnel "fell, after fierce resistance, in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of bombardments of installations." The Cuban government declared two days of national mourning in response to the deaths.

While Venezuela has not confirmed the Cuban deaths or released its own casualty figures, the incident has raised concerns about potential future U.S. actions toward Cuba. Some reports suggest a higher overall death toll. The U.S. operation involved intelligence gathering and a recruited Venezuelan source.

Cuba has long provided Maduro with his personal security detail and has personnel stationed in Venezuela. The incident raises questions about the extent of Cuban involvement in Venezuela and the potential consequences of U.S. intervention in the region.