Venezuela Says Dozens Were Killed in US ‘War Crime’
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, center, attends a women's march to demand the return of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
At least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed during a U.S. military operation carried out overnight to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and bring him to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges, Venezuelan officials said Tuesday.
Venezuela’s Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, said “dozens” of officials and civilians were killed during the operation and announced that prosecutors would investigate the deaths, which he described as a possible “war crime.” He did not specify how many of those killed were Venezuelan nationals. A Venezuelan official speaking anonymously said the death toll could be as high as 40 people, including civilians.
The casualties among Venezuelan forces came after Cuba announced that 32 Cuban military and police personnel stationed in Venezuela were also killed during the operation. Cuba declared two days of national mourning for those who died.
The Venezuelan military posted a tribute video on social media honoring the fallen security officers. The video featured photographs of the deceased over black-and-white footage of soldiers, U.S. aircraft flying over Caracas, and armored vehicles destroyed in the strikes.
“Their spilled blood does not cry out for vengeance, but for justice and strength,” the military said in a statement accompanying the video. “It reaffirms our unwavering oath not to rest until we rescue our legitimate President, dismantle the terrorist groups operating from abroad, and ensure that such events never again violate our sovereign soil.”
Cuba released the names, ranks, and ages of the 32 Cuban personnel killed, including colonels, lieutenants, majors, captains, and reserve soldiers between the ages of 26 and 60. The personnel were members of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior. Cuban officials did not disclose the specific missions of those killed or details about how they died.
The operation has sparked international controversy and heightened tensions across the region, with Venezuela declaring a period of national mourning and calling for international investigations into the U.S. action.
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