Venezuelan official says U.S. military raid caused heavy losses and injuries
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said late on Wednesday that around 100 people were killed in the U.S. military operation that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend, marking the first official death toll released by Caracas.
Cabello described the casualties as heavy and said the figure represented a much higher toll than previously disclosed. Before this announcement, Venezuela had only publicly released a list of 23 soldiers killed in the assault.
Casualties Include Foreign Military Personnel
A large portion of the deaths occurred among security personnel. Cuba confirmed that 32 members of its military and intelligence services stationed in Venezuela were killed during the operation, though exact civilian versus military breakdowns remain unclear.
In addition to those killed, Cabello said a similar number of people were wounded, many seriously, though he did not immediately provide specific figures for the injured.
Maduro and First Lady Reported Injured
Cabello also confirmed that Maduro suffered a leg injury and his wife, Cilia Flores, sustained a head injury during the raid. Both remain in U.S. custody following the operation.
The couple were later transported to the U.S., where they appeared in federal court facing charges. In court, both were seen walking, indicating recovery from their injuries.
National Mourning and Political Response
In response to the casualties, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez declared a week of national mourning to honor those killed in the raid — a move Cabello praised as a demonstration of unity and resolve.
Maduro’s government condemned the U.S. attack as a violation of national sovereignty and international law, framing it as a brutal assault against Venezuela. Russian and Chinese officials, among others, criticized the operation at the United Nations.
International Tension Surrounding the U.S. Operation
The U.S. operation, which involved air and special forces strikes on targets in Caracas, aimed to capture President Maduro amid long-running allegations of narcotics trafficking and national security threats.
Washington has not released detailed casualty figures. Independent estimates from some international outlets have suggested lower totals, but Cabello’s statement stands as the official Venezuelan figure.
The raid has provoked widespread international debate over the legality and geopolitical consequences of foreign military intervention in Venezuela, especially given the volatile regional dynamics.