32 Cubans Killed in US Venezuela Raid: Trump Says Cuba 'Ready to Fall' 2026
32 Cubans were killed during a US military raid to capture Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. President Trump claims Cuba is 'ready to fall' as regional tensions escalate.
Thirty-two Cubans are dead. A high-stakes US military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro hasn't just toppled a regime—it's ignited a firestorm across the Caribbean. As Havana mourns its fallen intelligence officers, President Donald Trump is signaling that Cuba might be the next domino to tip.
US Venezuela Raid Cuban Casualties and Diplomatic Fallout
The Cuban government confirmed that 32 of its nationals, members of the armed forces and intelligence agencies, were killed during the US raid in Caracas. President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated they were providing protection to Maduro "at the request" of Venezuela. While the official death toll remains unconfirmed by Venezuela, reports from The New York Times suggest total fatalities could exceed 80.
The alliance between the two nations is rooted in a decades-old deal: Cuba provides security and intelligence expertise in exchange for Venezuelan oil. This bloody encounter marks the most significant direct combat between US forces and Cuban personnel in recent history.
Trump and Rubio Warn of Cuban Collapse
Speaking to reporters on January 5, 2026, President Donald Trump didn't mince words. He believes Cuba is "ready to fall" and suggested military action might not even be necessary as the country's internal systems fail. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, describing the leadership in Havana as "incompetent" and warned those in the government to be concerned.
The US has maintained an economic embargo on Cuba since 1962. Despite UN pressure, the Trump administration has only tightened restrictions, reversing the Biden-era easing of tensions.
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