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During the U.S. operation in Venezuela, 100 people were killed, including members of President Nicolás Maduro’s security detail and Cuban military and intelligence officers, Reuters reports.
Venezuelan officials had previously not disclosed the total number of casualties; the army had only released a list of 23 deceased personnel. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed the 100 deaths, stating that most of Maduro’s guards were killed “cold-bloodedly,” while Cuba confirmed the loss of its personnel in Venezuela.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were captured during the operation, were injured—Flores sustained a head injury, and Maduro injured his leg.
The operation, conducted on January 3, involved U.S. forces detaining Maduro and transporting him and his wife to the United States. According to The Washington Post, at least 75 people died in airstrikes and gunfights in Caracas during the raid, with no American casualties reported.
President Donald Trump praised the operation, calling the U.S. military “the most powerful and advanced in the world,” and stated that Maduro will face trial on charges of drug-related terrorism, illegal possession of automatic weapons and destructive devices, and conspiring to use such weapons against the U.S.
On January 5, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty in a New York court; the next hearing is scheduled for March 17.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. aims to manage a transition period in Venezuela, prioritizing access to energy resources to stabilize global markets and rebuild the country. The process in Venezuela will follow three stages, starting with oil extraction.
