Ask Onix
Cuba holds state funeral for troops killed in Venezuela
Havana witnessed an emotional procession Friday as the remains of 32 Cuban military and intelligence personnel, killed in a U.S. operation in Venezuela, were returned home. Crowds lined the streets from the airport to the Armed Forces Ministry, applauding the funeral cortege carrying the cremated ashes of those labeled "fallen heroes" by the government.
Leadership pays respects amid national mourning
President Miguel Díaz-Canel and former leader Raúl Castro were among the officials who received the flag-draped urns at Havana's airport. Each container was displayed in the ministry lobby alongside a photograph of the deceased, with the inscription "honor and glory" overhead. Despite the solemn military honors, the losses mark a significant blow to Cuba's revolutionary legacy.
Historic losses and strategic setbacks
This incident represents the largest single loss of Cuban combatants to U.S. forces since the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. The rarity of such direct confrontations-spanning six decades of Cold War and post-Cold War tensions-underscores the severity of the event. While U.S. Delta Force operatives reportedly suffered no casualties, the outcome offers little solace to the grieving families who gathered in Havana to pay their respects.
Cuba's covert role in Venezuela exposed
In the aftermath of Nicolás Maduro's removal from power, the Cuban government was forced to acknowledge its long-denied presence in Venezuela's security apparatus. For years, Havana had dismissed allegations of Cuban intelligence officers operating within Caracas' corridors of power. However, the deaths of the 32 personnel confirm Cuba's deep involvement in advising and supporting Venezuela's state security strategy.
Shifting alliances and uncertain future
Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, recently described U.S. President Donald Trump as "a terrific person" following a phone call-a stark contrast to the previous administration's portrayal of her government as a "narco-terrorist" regime. This diplomatic pivot has left Cuba's leadership grappling with an uncertain future, as Washington signals the potential end of the Cuban Revolution's influence in the region.
Defiant rhetoric from revolutionary veterans
"If the U.S. tries to invade, they'll stir up a hornets' nest. They'd never even see our combatants coming-men and women."
Victor Dreke, former Cuban commander
At 88, Dreke-a contemporary of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara-drew parallels between the current tensions and the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, which he helped repel. He warned that any U.S. incursion into Cuba would face fierce resistance, unlike the ambush in Venezuela. Meanwhile, state television has broadcast images of civilian reservists undergoing military training, signaling heightened preparedness.
Economic crisis compounds geopolitical strain
Cuba's already fragile economy faces further pressure following the loss of Venezuelan support. Widespread blackouts, fuel shortages, and a struggling tourism sector-still below pre-pandemic levels-have deepened the country's challenges. The U.S. operation in Venezuela was partly intended to demonstrate Washington's military superiority in the region, raising the stakes for Havana.
A defiant yet cautious stance
Despite the defiance from figures like Dreke, Cuba's leadership insists it seeks no conflict with the Trump administration. However, the former commander's closing remarks underscored the island's resolve: "We won't escalate matters with Washington, but that doesn't mean we won't be ready."
