ASIATODAY.ID, CARACAS – The death toll from a controversial United States military raid aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has climbed to at least 80 people, including soldiers and civilians, according to a report by The New York Times citing a senior Venezuelan official.
The operation, described by Caracas as an attempted kidnapping of the head of state, has triggered international outrage and plunged Venezuela into mourning, while Washington insists the mission was a targeted law-enforcement action.
Civilian Areas Hit, Maduro’s Security Detail Decimated
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez confirmed that a “large part” of President Maduro’s security detail was killed during the raid, though he stopped short of providing exact numbers. Venezuelan authorities also accused US forces of striking civilian neighborhoods, but have yet to release an official nationwide casualty figure.
Explosions were reported near Port of La Guaira, where smoke billowed into the sky as low-flying aircraft were seen during the early hours of January 3, according to eyewitness accounts and images.
Cuba: 32 Citizens Killed, National Mourning Declared
The crisis deepened after Cuban officials confirmed that 32 Cuban citizens, including military personnel stationed in Venezuela, were killed in the attack. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel declared January 5 and 6 as official days of national mourning.
“Our compatriots fulfilled their duty with dignity and heroism and fell after fierce resistance, either in direct combat or as a result of bombings,” Díaz-Canel said in a televised address.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto honored the fallen Cubans, stating they had “offered their lives” while carrying out cooperation and defense missions, and condemned the US operation as a “criminal and infamous attack.”
Washington Denies US Fatalities, Admits Injuries
US President Donald Trump claimed that no American troops were killed during the operation, although he acknowledged that some may have been wounded. Two unnamed US officials told The New York Times that around half a dozen US soldiers were injured during the mission.
American officials said the airstrikes were designed to support the capture of Maduro, who was allegedly to be transferred to the United States to face drug trafficking and weapons charges.
Regime Change Allegations Resurface
Venezuela has long rejected US accusations linking its leadership to the drug trade, arguing that such claims are merely a pretext for regime change. Caracas insists the raid violated international law and national sovereignty.
Media reports suggest that US bombardment targeted key military installations, communication networks, and logistics depots, raising fears of a broader military escalation.
Global Fallout Looms
The deadly raid has intensified diplomatic tensions across Latin America and beyond, with several countries warning that the US intervention could destabilize the region and ignite a prolonged conflict.
As Venezuela counts its dead and allies rally in condemnation, questions are mounting over whether Washington’s bold move will mark a turning point—or a dangerous new chapter—in hemispheric geopolitics. (ATN)
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