US attack on Venezuela kills dozens, Maduro and his wife slightly injured

WASHINGTON / CARACAS / NEW YORK – According to estimates by US authorities, approximately 75 people, including civilians, were killed during a US military operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This was reported by the daily newspaper The Washington Post with reference to sources from the US administration.

According to one source, at least 67 people were killed in the attack in the early hours of the morning, while another source puts the number of victims at between 75 and 80. Among the dead are members of the Venezuelan and Cuban security forces as well as civilians.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump confirmed that many soldiers, mostly Cubans, had been killed during the operation. He described the intervention as „effective“, but also admitted that it had been „very violent“.

President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel has previously stated that during the American operation aimed at arresting Maduro and his wife Cilie Flores 32 Cubans died „while performing combat duties“. A two-day period of national mourning was declared in Cuba. The Venezuelan authorities subsequently announced seven days of mourning for the fallen soldiers and civilians.

Venezuela has officially declared seven days of national mourning following the American attack on 3 January 2026. According to a statement by the acting president Delcy Rodríguez victims „laid down their lives in defence of their country during the criminal military attack by the United States government“.

American special forces caused minor injuries to Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a raid on the president's residence in Caracas. According to NBC News, Delta forces used flashbang grenades when entering the building. Maduro and Flores suffered bruises and minor injuries, likely from hitting the walls or doors of the secure room. They underwent medical examinations on board the aircraft that transported them to the National Guard base north of New York. In the first photo released after her arrest, Flores had a visible bruise on her face.

The United States confirmed that Maduro and his wife were transferred to a detention facility in Brooklyn. On 5 January, they were brought before the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York. The US authorities accuse them of involvement in drug trafficking, which both deny.

Donald Trump also announced that the United States would take temporary control of Venezuela. He expressed his conviction that Washington would obtain compensation for American oil companies from Caracas. According to him, the interim Venezuelan government has committed to handing over 30 to 50 million barrels of „high-quality“ oil to the US.

Meanwhile, ABC News reported that the United States is demanding that Venezuelan authorities sever economic ties with Iran, China, Cuba and Russia as a condition for increasing oil production. Washington is also demanding exclusive cooperation with the United States in the area of oil production.

The United Nations said it was trying to gather more information about the number of victims of the American military operation. According to the daily newspaper The New York Times The intervention in Caracas claimed approximately 80 lives.

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