Death toll rises to 112 following US invasion in Venezuela

The death toll from the US military invasion in Venezuela has reached 80 Venezuelans and 32 Cuban nationals, according to statements released following the Saturday assault.

The New York Times reported on Sunday that the number of Venezuelans killed during the US operation has risen to 80. Citing a senior Venezuelan official, the publication indicated that the casualty count could continue to climb as the situation develops.

Earlier, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino stated that a significant portion of President Nicolas Maduro’s security detail was killed during the US operation, though he did not provide an exact figure at the time.

Cuba has since confirmed that 32 of its citizens were killed during the military operation, which Havana described as an attempt to kidnap President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Caracas. In response, the Cuban government declared two days of national mourning on January 5 and 6, with details regarding funeral services to be released at a later date.

A statement issued by Havana on Sunday noted: “In the early hours of January 3, 2026, as a result of the criminal attack carried out by the US government against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, 32 Cubans serving on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior—at the request of their counterparts in the South American country—lost their lives in the line of duty.”

The statement continued: “Remaining faithful to their security and defense responsibilities, our citizens fulfilled their duties with honor and heroism. After a period of fierce resistance, they perished either in direct combat with the aggressors or as a result of the bombardment of facilities.”

Following the verification of identities, the families of the deceased were notified. Expressions of condolence and support were extended by the leader of the Cuban Revolution, General Raúl Castro Ruz, as well as Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Republic, alongside officials from both the defense and interior ministries.

The Cuban government characterized the fallen personnel as victims of a “new act of state aggression and terrorism,” stating that their heroic conduct has galvanized a sense of solidarity among millions of citizens. The Revolutionary Government added that it would take all necessary measures to ensure they receive the honors they deserve.