• Cuba confirms 32 of its citizens were killed in a US operation in Venezuela.
• The Cuban government mourns the loss and declares national mourning on January 5 and 6.
• Maduro faces US federal charges related to drug trafficking following his capture.
• The operation underscores ongoing tensions between the US and Cuba, amid increasing geopolitical scrutiny.
• US officials mention Cuba's close ties to Maduro and the military presence there.

The Cuban government reported that 32 of its citizens, primarily members of its armed forces and intelligence agencies, were killed during a U.S. military operation aimed at apprehending Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. The operation, described by U.S. officials as a “large-scale strike,” has led to two days of national mourning declared in Cuba, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

The statement from the Cuban government emphasized that those killed were acting in defense of security and showed “dignity and heroism” while fulfilling their duties. Military President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed that these individuals were deployed at the request of Venezuela's government, highlighting Cuba’s longstanding military and intelligence support for Maduro, as reported by Le Monde and Los Angeles Times.

Following the operation, President Trump noted that there were no US casualties and remarked on the significant number of deaths among Cuban forces. He characterized the event by saying, "There was a lot of death on the other side," according to BBC News.

US officials, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have suggested that Cuba’s regime may be on borrowed time due to increasing U.S. military presence and actions in the region. The operation highlights the deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, as both countries navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, as reported by AA and AA.