In a conversation with CNN, Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío asserted that "the Cuban people supported and are proud of" the financial commitment to maintain a Cuban security contingent for the then Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
This statement surfaced when the interviewer questioned the justification for allocating resources to this mission amid Cuba's internal crisis.
During the exchange, Fernández de Cossío refuted claims that Cuba had "troops" in Venezuela, emphasizing that Havana had previously been "very clear" by stating that it did not engage in military operations there.
He clarified that what was present was merely a "security detail" for the Venezuelan leader, arguing that this did not equate to a military deployment ("there was no regiment, no battalion," he insisted).
He further explained, "In Venezuela, the officers who, as you mentioned, lost their lives, were part of personal security details for the president of Venezuela. That, in no way, equates to having troops," he justified.
When questioned about who financed this security, the deputy minister responded that the Maduro government did not cover the costs, framing it as "cooperation."
He went on to say that Cuba paid the salaries of these individuals and dismissed the criticism that this expenditure was unjustifiable amidst pressing needs like stable electricity, drawing a parallel to U.S. military spending and asserting that, in his view, most Cubans supported this effort.
These remarks were made during an interview focused on the state of relations with Washington, where the official expressed Cuba's willingness for a "meaningful" dialogue with the United States, while making it clear that they would not discuss a change in their government system.
He also noted that there is no "bilateral dialogue" yet, although there have been exchanges of messages at the highest levels of the Cuban government.
In the same context, the deputy minister addressed the impact of U.S. pressure on fuel supplies, describing the situation as coercive economic measures with effects comparable "to a war."
He mentioned that the Cuban population faces power outages and long lines due to reduced fuel availability, with potential austerity measures looming.
FAQs on Cuba's Military Involvement in Venezuela
Did Cuba have military troops in Venezuela?
According to Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuba did not have military troops in Venezuela but provided a security detail for President Nicolás Maduro.
Who funded the Cuban security detail in Venezuela?
The Cuban government covered the salaries for the security detail, which was framed as cooperation rather than a service paid for by the Venezuelan government.
What is the current status of U.S.-Cuba relations?
Currently, there is no formal bilateral dialogue, although there have been some exchanges of messages at high levels between the two governments.