The remains of Cuban soldiers killed during the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have been returned to Havana, touching off national mourning and international controversy.
Thirty-two Cuban military personnel who died in the early January operation in Venezuela arrived back in Cuba earlier today in solemn repatriation ceremonies. State television footage showed the remains being met by a military band and escorted in a procession watched by thousands of citizens, as well as senior leaders including President Miguel Díaz-Canel and former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
The soldiers’ remains were transported from the airport in a motorcade along Havana’s main boulevards, where crowds saluted and waved Cuban flags to pay their respects. Officials described the troops as having died while fulfilling their duty, and many Cuban families lined the streets to honor them.
At a ceremony, Interior Minister General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez said the fallen represented Cuba’s enduring support for its allies and underscored the nation’s resilience. “If this painful chapter of history has demonstrated anything,” he said, “it is that imperialism may possess the most sophisticated weapons … but there is one thing it will never be able to buy: the dignity of the Cuban people.”
In a televised interview, one surviving soldier described the moment of the attack, calling the U.S. assault “disproportionate,” involving planes, drones, and Apache helicopters striking their position and inflicting heavy casualties. He said the troops were “carrying out our mission in Venezuela, supporting the country in its defense against imperialism.”
The U.S. military operation on January 3 also resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, who is now in U.S. custody facing drug trafficking charges. Venezuelan officials reported additional casualties among their own forces during the raid.
Back in Havana, tens of thousands participated in demonstrations denouncing the U.S. attack as an act of aggression, with strong anti-imperialist rhetoric dominating the streets and calls for justice for the fallen.
We will continue to follow this developing story, including international reactions and further responses from leaders in Havana, Caracas and Washington. Stay with SNEWS TV for updates.
Reporting by Kathy Moore.
