U.S.-Led Raid in Caracas Results in High Casualty Toll Among Cuban and Venezuelan Forces

In a major military operation that has escalated geopolitical tensions in the Western Hemisphere, a U.S.-led raid targeting the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro resulted in significant casualties among allied Cuban and Venezuelan troops. Official lists published on Tuesday by the governments of both nations confirm that 55 military personnel were killed during the nighttime assault in Caracas.

According to the detailed announcements, Cuba’s Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces published a list naming 32 Cuban military advisors and specialists who died in the operation. Simultaneously, the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense issued a separate list honoring 23 members of its armed forces who were also killed.

Key Details of the Operation:

• Objective: The primary stated objective of the raid was the apprehension of President Nicolás Maduro, who has been the subject of multiple U.S. indictments and is recognized by the United States and dozens of other nations as the illegitimate leader of Venezuela. Reports confirm that Maduro was successfully captured during the operation.

• Location & Timing: The assault was a coordinated, nighttime operation targeting key security installations and the presidential palace in Caracas.

• Casualties: The confirmed death toll is exclusively among Cuban and Venezuelan defenders at this time. There has been no immediate comment from U.S. officials on the operation or its aftermath, and no official figures have been released regarding potential U.S. or allied casualties.

Regional and Global Repercussions:

The incident marks one of the most direct and deadly confrontations between U.S. forces and the military allies of the Venezuelan government. Analysts warn the raid could trigger a severe regional crisis.

• Cuban Involvement: The high number of Cuban casualties underscores the deep, longstanding military and intelligence cooperation between Havana and Caracas, a relationship that Washington has long condemned as a destabilizing force in the region.

• Venezuelan Response: Venezuela’s government, currently led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez following Maduro’s capture, has denounced the operation as a “cowardly imperialist invasion” and an “act of war.” The administration has vowed to respond and has called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.

• International Reaction: Reactions from world leaders have been sharply divided. Allies of the U.S., including Colombia and Brazil, have expressed support for “actions to restore democracy.” Russia, China, Iran, and other nations aligned with Maduro have issued strong condemnations, accusing the United States of brazen violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.

Unanswered Questions and Next Steps:

The situation remains fluid, with several critical questions unresolved:

• Legal & Political Status of Maduro: The location and legal proceedings for the captured Venezuelan leader are currently unknown.

• Transition of Power: It is unclear what governmental authority is currently presiding in Caracas and what plans, if any, are in place for a transitional government. Juan Guaidó, the opposition figure previously recognized by the U.S. as interim president, has not made a public statement.

• Potential for Escalation: There are significant concerns about potential retaliatory actions from Cuban and Venezuelan loyalist forces, as well as the possibility of broader unrest or conflict within Venezuela and along its borders.

The publication of the casualty lists has plunged both Cuba and Venezuela into national mourning, while setting the stage for a complex and potentially protracted diplomatic and military confrontation.

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