The Cuban government released the identities, ranks, and ages of the 32 Cuban military members who lost their lives during the operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. The fallen soldiers included colonels, lieutenants, majors, and captains, along with some reserve personnel, aged between 26 and 60. These individuals were part of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, Cuba’s primary security agencies, although their specific roles and causes of death were not disclosed.
Cuban state media shared information and photos of the deceased military members in their olive-green uniforms. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez expressed Cuba’s readiness to defend against any U.S. intervention, highlighting the country’s commitment to resist imperialist threats. The Cuban government acknowledged the deaths of its personnel in Venezuela, emphasizing their bravery and sacrifice in combat against the attackers.
Details about the deceased Cuban officers gradually emerged, with public acknowledgment of their dedication to a just cause. One of the fallen officers, Colonel Humberto Alfonso Roca Sánchez, was identified as the former garrison commander of Punto Cero, a location associated with Fidel Castro’s history. Another officer, Colonel Lázaro Evangelio Rodríguez Rodríguez, was believed to have overseen Cuba’s coastal and border security.
Cuba and Venezuela, longstanding allies in economic and political spheres, have had agreements encompassing various sectors such as security and energy, including subsidized oil sales to Cuba since 2000. While military exchanges between the two countries are less reported, there have been instances of cooperation in different areas.
The U.S. strike on Venezuela prompted the Organization of American States to convene a special meeting, where protests against the intervention were voiced. U.S. Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto defended the action as a targeted law enforcement operation against a criminal indicted by the U.S. government. He emphasized the U.S.’s support for a democratic future for Venezuela and called for the release of political prisoners.
In response to the U.S. ambassador’s statements, representatives from several countries criticized the military intervention in Venezuela, citing concerns about sovereignty and international law violations. The meeting witnessed strong condemnations of the unilateral action taken by the United States.
As more information surfaces about the tragic incident, the global community closely watches the developments in this complex geopolitical scenario.
