The 32 Cubans who lost their lives on January 3 in Venezuela during a U.S.-led military operation that ended with the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were not part of the feared elite units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) or the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), contrary to reports from several international media outlets.
According to official information released by the Cuban regime, the deceased included bodyguards, MININT agents, and two active FAR officers—a captain and a senior non-commissioned officer. The remaining FAR personnel listed were identified as retired soldiers.
This official statement contradicts earlier reports by various media and analysts claiming that the casualties included members of the Black Wasps from the National Special Brigade (BEN, black berets), two elite forces known for their hand-to-hand combat training and their role in suppressing protests and maintaining order within Cuba.
The Fallen: MININT Agents and Active FAR Officers
The list of the deceased reveals the names, ranks, and ages, including Colonels Humberto Alfonso Roca Sánchez (67) and Lázaro Evangelio Rodríguez Rodríguez (62), alongside several majors, captains, and lieutenants.
Captain Adrián Pérez Beades (34) and Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Suriel Godales Alarcón (42) are the only FAR officers mentioned in the list, while the rest were categorized as retired soldiers, aged between 35 and 59.
Background of Some Deceased Officers
Several of the fallen officers had previously been identified in other escort missions within Cuba. Among them was Colonel Humberto Alfonso Roca Sánchez, who at 67 was allegedly involved in personal security operations and may have been one of the leaders of the group killed in Venezuela.
Previous Denials by the Cuban Regime
The Cuban government, along with Nicolás Maduro himself, had long denied the presence of Cuban military personnel in his security detail. However, the release of the names and ranks of the 32 deceased confirms that these Cubans were indeed part of the protection force around the Venezuelan dictator at the time of his capture by U.S. forces.
The Cuban government has asserted that those who died were fulfilling their duty to protect both Cuba and Venezuela, though it has not provided details about their specific roles.
A Silence That Raises More Questions
The lack of official information about the roles of the deceased Cubans in Venezuela intensifies doubts about the true extent of Cuba's military presence in the country. For years, Havana insisted that its cooperation with Caracas was strictly civilian, focusing on sending doctors and technical advisors.
The acknowledgment of these casualties, however, signals a shift in the official narrative and highlights the deep ties between the two regimes, right at a time when the Chavista administration began cooperating with the Trump administration following Maduro's detention.
Understanding Cuba's Involvement in Venezuela
Who were the Cuban casualties in Venezuela?
The Cuban casualties included bodyguards, MININT agents, and two active FAR officers. The rest were identified as retired soldiers.
What was the role of the deceased Cubans in Venezuela?
The Cuban government claims the deceased were fulfilling their duty to protect both Cuba and Venezuela, though specific roles were not disclosed.
How does this incident impact Cuba-Venezuela relations?
The incident reveals the deep ties between the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes and marks a shift in Cuba's narrative about its involvement in Venezuela.