Cuba held a solemn ceremony on Thursday to receive the remains of 32 of its soldiers killed during a United States military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, state officials said.
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The Cuban military and intelligence personnel were killed in combat during the January 3 raid in Caracas, according to the Cuban government. Their coffins, draped in the national flag, arrived at Havana’s international airport early Thursday, where President Miguel Díaz‑Canel, former leader Raúl Castro and senior military officials presided over the reception. Tens of thousands of citizens lined the streets to pay respects, waving flags and saluting as the bodies were transported.
📌🇨🇺| #Cuba honra y recibe los restos mortales de los 32 combatientes asesinados por EE.UU. en la agresión a Venezuela.
Ver aquí:
🔗 https://t.co/0bw9iJlCpn pic.twitter.com/eI9u9SRNwq— Periódico Granma (@Granma_Digital) January 15, 2026
Officials described the fallen troops as national “heroes” who stood alongside Venezuelan forces and defended allied interests in the South American country. Interior Minister General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez said their deaths reflected Cuba’s unwavering commitment to its homeland and longstanding alliance with Venezuela.
The operation by US forces resulted in the dramatic detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are being held in New York on drug‑related charges. Maduro’s capture has escalated geopolitical tensions across the region, particularly between Washington and Havana.
The Cuban government’s public mourning and high‑profile tributes underscore deep anger over the US strike, which Havana has condemned as unjustified aggression. The event marks one of the most significant losses of Cuban military personnel abroad in decades and has heightened calls within Cuba for broader protest and solidarity actions.
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Alongside the official ceremonies in Havana, similar tributes and remembrances have been held in other parts of Latin America, reflecting regional concerns about military intervention and sovereignty. The long‑term impact of the US operation on Cuba‑US relations remains uncertain as diplomatic tensions continue to mount.