US Abducts Venezuelan President Maduro, Resulting in Nearly 50 Soldier Fatalities

Venezuela’s Defence Ministry Confirms 83 Fatalities from US Attack

The Venezuelan Defence Ministry has confirmed that 83 people were killed in the January 3 attack by US forces on the capital, Caracas. The ministry stated that the victims included 32 Cuban soldiers, some of whom were part of President Nicolas Maduro’s personal protection team.

According to Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, the men and women of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Forces gave their lives in response to military aggression. A memorial site will be established for those killed, as announced by the minister during a ceremony held on Friday.

The US raid began with the bombing of military targets and concluded with US troops landing in helicopters, abducting Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from their residence in Caracas. More than 112 people were reported injured in the attack.

Cuba received the remains of the 32 soldiers it claimed were killed in combat on January 3. The full extent of civilian casualties from the US raid is still being determined by authorities in Venezuela.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who discussed potential economic collaboration between the two countries and warned that Venezuela can never again allow the presence of US adversaries on its soil.

Tens of thousands of Cubans demonstrated outside the US embassy in Havana on Friday to condemn the killing of the 32 Cuban soldiers. The protesters called for action against what they perceived as imperialist aggression.

US President Donald Trump recently demanded that Cuba make a deal with him before it is “too late”. He did not provide details on the proposed agreement or its implications.

Source: Al Jazeera