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HAVANA — Cuba has reacted with alarm and mourning following a dramatic shift in Venezuela’s political landscape, underscoring the long-standing and multifaceted relationship between the two nations.
On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The Cuban government reported that 32 of its security personnel were killed during the U.S. raid, a claim that authorities say reflects the close role Cuban forces played in Venezuelan security at the request of Caracas. Cuba declared two days of national mourning in their honor. (Reuters) (Reuters)
According to Reuters, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the U.S. operation as “state terrorism” and an unlawful attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty. Speaking at a rally in Havana, he called on the international community to respond urgently to what he characterized as a violation of international norms. Reuters
The incident has intensified concern across Cuba about its own future. Havana and Caracas have maintained close political, economic, and security cooperation for decades. Venezuela has been a key supplier of subsidized oil to Cuba, helping sustain the island’s struggling economy amid chronic energy shortages and other challenges. Cuban personnel have also worked in Venezuela in various capacities, from security to medical and technical support. (AP News)
Cuban residents expressed distress at the developments. For many, the loss of Venezuelan oil and the weakening of their most important ally raise fears of deeper economic hardship. Analysts say Cuba faces difficult choices in sourcing energy and other imports if the long-standing Venezuelan support falters, noting that alternatives such as imports from Russia may not fully replace what Venezuela once provided. (AP News)
According to Reuters, U.S. officials framed the operation as targeting Maduro and regional security threats; some analysts have interpreted it as part of broader efforts to counter the influence of allied governments, including Cuba’s. (Reuters)
For Havana, the fallout from Venezuelan upheaval is both symbolic and strategic: it exposes how deeply interconnected the two countries have become and highlights the political and economic uncertainties that lie ahead as Cuba navigates a changing regional landscape. (AP News)
Sources: AP News, Reuters , Reuters, Reuters)
