US–Venezuela Crisis Escalates: Cuba Claims 32 Citizens Killed in US Raid as Global Tensions Rise

The crisis in Venezuela has intensified following claims by Cuba that 32 of its citizens were killed during a United States military operation that led to the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. The development has triggered international outrage, diplomatic reactions from major global powers and growing concerns over the implications for regional and global stability.

The Cuban government announced two days of national mourning, stating that its citizens lost their lives during the US raid carried out under what Washington described as a security operation. Havana strongly condemned the action, calling it a violation of international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty.

The turmoil comes a day after US forces captured Maduro in a high-profile operation, later identified by Washington as Operation Absolute Resolve. Maduro has since been transferred to a detention facility in New York and is scheduled to appear before a federal court in Manhattan to face long-standing narcotics-related charges.

Interim Leadership and Fresh US Warnings

Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Supreme Court directed former vice president Delcy Rodríguez to assume charge as interim president. Rodríguez, known for her strong leftist stance, initially expressed solidarity with Maduro and described him as the country’s legitimate leader.

However, the United States has issued warnings to Rodríguez, stating that her political future would depend on whether she aligned with Washington’s expectations. US President Donald Trump later clarified that the US does not intend to govern Venezuela directly, reversing earlier remarks that suggested American control over the country.

Rodríguez, in response, called for cooperation and dialogue with the US, proposing an agenda focused on development, peace and mutual respect within the framework of international law. She emphasised Venezuela’s right to sovereignty, stability and self-determination.

Russia and China Condemn US Action

Russia reacted sharply to the US operation. Senior Russian leaders described the strike as unlawful and destabilising, accusing Washington of acting unilaterally to protect its strategic interests, particularly Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Russian officials warned that similar actions against stronger states would be considered acts of war.

China also criticised the US intervention. Chinese leaders said no country had the right to act as a global judge or police force. Beijing reiterated that the sovereignty and security of all nations must be protected under international law and demanded the immediate release of Maduro.

China has long maintained economic ties with Venezuela, particularly in the energy sector, purchasing significant volumes of crude oil and investing billions in infrastructure and oil projects.

Latin America and Europe Call for Restraint

Several countries, including Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay, jointly rejected the US military action, warning that it violated the UN Charter and set a dangerous precedent. These nations urged peaceful dialogue and opposed any external control over Venezuela.

Pakistan also issued a statement calling for restraint, de-escalation and adherence to international law, emphasising the need for diplomacy over military intervention.

Rising Security Concerns

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López confirmed that several members of Maduro’s security team were killed during the operation. He announced nationwide activation of the armed forces to safeguard sovereignty and demanded the immediate release of Maduro.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia acknowledged the capture of Maduro as a turning point but said a genuine democratic transition would remain incomplete without the release of political prisoners.

As tensions continue to rise, global attention remains fixed on Venezuela, with fears that the crisis could reshape geopolitical alignments, energy markets and international norms around sovereignty and military intervention.