Havana, January 15, 2026 – Cuba held a solemn tribute for 32 Cuban soldiers killed during the United States’ military operation in Venezuela earlier this month, which resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The fallen soldiers, who served in Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence agencies, were honored in a public ceremony in Havana attended by top Cuban leaders and thousands of residents.
The soldiers’ remains, draped in the Cuban flag, arrived early Thursday at Havana’s international airport and were transported in a motorcade through the capital to the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, where memorial services took place.
Cuban Leadership Pays Tribute
President Miguel Diaz-Canel and former leader Raul Castro, 94, appeared in full military uniform to receive the coffins. Diaz-Canel praised the soldiers for having “heroically fallen in defense of the sovereignty of a sister nation”, emphasizing Cuba’s longstanding military support for Venezuela.
Interior Minister General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez lauded the troops for fighting “to the last bullet” during the US strike on Caracas on January 3.
“We do not receive them with resignation; we do so with profound pride,” Alvarez said. “The United States will never be able to buy the dignity of the Cuban people.”
Thousands of citizens lined Havana’s main boulevards to pay respects, waving Cuban flags and saluting as the motorcade passed. Residents also queued at the armed forces ministry throughout the day to honor the fallen soldiers.
Rising Tensions Between Havana and Washington
The US operation that led to Maduro’s capture has intensified Cuba–US tensions, with President Donald Trump rejecting international criticism over potential violations of international law. Trump stressed he would act according to his “own morality,” further straining diplomatic relations in Latin America, a region historically sensitive to US military interventions.
In a related development, Trump warned Cuba that he would cut off Venezuelan oil shipments and financial transfers to the island, urging Havana to negotiate with the US “before it is too late.”
Cuban President Diaz-Canel responded defiantly:
“We have always been willing to maintain serious and responsible dialogue with the various US administrations, including the current one, on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and the principles of international law. Relations must be based on law, not hostility, threats, or economic coercion.”
Public Mourning and Planned Demonstrations
The tribute ceremony included formal honors at the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, with residents braving rain under umbrellas to pay respects. The event underscores Cuba’s national pride and solidarity with its soldiers who died defending Venezuelan sovereignty.
A protest rally in front of the US embassy in Havana is scheduled for Friday to further condemn the US military operation in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, remain in US custody on drug-related charges, which they deny, fueling continued diplomatic friction between the US, Venezuela, and Cuba.
Historical Context: Cuba’s Military Support for Venezuela
Cuba has historically maintained close military and intelligence ties with Venezuela, particularly under the presidencies of Raul Castro and Nicolas Maduro. Cuban soldiers and advisers have been deployed in Venezuela over the years to support national defense and intelligence operations. The deaths of the 32 Cuban personnel mark one of the largest Cuban military losses abroad in decades, intensifying anti-US sentiment on the island.
President Diaz-Canel framed the tribute as a demonstration of Cuba’s unwavering commitment to Latin American solidarity, emphasizing that Cuban troops were defending a “sister nation” and its sovereignty.
Global and Regional Implications
The US operation in Caracas has sparked outrage across Latin America and beyond. Analysts note that the abduction of Maduro and the killing of Cuban soldiers could:
- Escalate tensions between Washington and Latin American nations.
- Increase anti-US sentiment in Cuba and allied nations.
- Further strain diplomatic relations and complicate future negotiations over Venezuelan oil, trade, and regional security.
Experts suggest that Cuba’s defiant response signals that Havana will continue to oppose US actions in Latin America while protecting its strategic interests in Venezuela.
Conclusion
Thursday’s tribute in Havana serves as a national commemoration for Cuban soldiers, reinforcing Cuba’s commitment to its military allies and its stance against US military interventions. The loss of 32 personnel has galvanized public and governmental solidarity, highlighting Cuba’s historic role in regional defense and its ongoing tensions with Washington.
The coming days are expected to see continued public demonstrations, diplomatic posturing, and heightened security, as both Cuba and the US navigate the fallout from the Venezuelan operation.
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