Venezuela’s defence ministry has confirmed that 47 members of the nation’s armed forces died during a United States military operation earlier this month that toppled strongman President Nicolás Maduro and resulted in his capture, authorities said on Friday.
Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López said the revised figure, up from the initial report of 23 fatalities, includes nine women service personnel. He added that a total of 83 people died in the assault, which also claimed the lives of 32 Cuban soldiers, some of whom were reportedly assigned to Maduro’s personal security detail.
The U.S. operation, conducted in the early hours of January 3, began with bombing raids on key military targets in Caracas and culminated in a helicopter-borne incursion by U.S. special forces that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president installed after Maduro’s ouster, announced seven days of mourning for the fallen soldiers.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said authorities are employing DNA analysis to identify remains of victims, some of whom suffered severe injuries in the strike. A full breakdown of civilian casualties has not been released.
The operation has triggered outrage across the region. In Havana, tens of thousands of Cubans protested outside the U.S. Embassy, condemning Washington’s actions and demanding Maduro’s release, while world leaders have voiced deep concerns about regional stability and sovereignty.
Amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, the U.S. continues to defend the mission as necessary for addressing alleged criminal activities linked to the Maduro regime, a stance that has prompted intense debate internationally.
