Havana says 32 Cuban police officers killed in US operation in Venezuela

Cubans attends a rally in Havana, January 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the US captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Cubans attends a rally in Havana, January 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the US captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

A total of 32 Cuban nationals were killed during the US attack on Caracas that culminated in the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, the government in Havana says.

The Cuban military and police officers were on a mission in the Caribbean country at the request of Venezuela’s government, according to a statement read on Cuban state TV.

“As a result of the criminal attack carried out by the government of the United States” against Venezuela, “32 Cubans lost their lives in combat operations,” the Cuban government says in the statement.

What the Cubans were working on in the South American nation was unclear, but Cuba, a close ally of Venezuela’s government, has sent military and police forces to assist in operations for years.

“You know, a lot of Cubans were killed yesterday,” US President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew Sunday night from Florida back to Washington. “There was a lot of death on the other side. No death on our side.”

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