During a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, November 1, President Donald Trump described the January military operation in Venezuela as a "one-day war" where "nobody died." This statement stands in stark contrast to reports from Cuba and Venezuela, whose authorities acknowledged at least 56 military casualties during the mission that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Trump remarked, "And by the way, Venezuela: a one-day war, nobody died," according to the transcript of his November 1 speech, as he compared the operation to conflicts like Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Financial Gains from Venezuela
Prior to these comments, Trump claimed that the United States had recovered "ten times the cost of the war" from Venezuela. He made this statement after discussing military operations against Iran. Additionally, he mentioned that his administration was collaborating with Venezuela to produce millions of barrels of oil for the United States. However, he did not provide an economic breakdown to substantiate his claim.
Documented Casualties During the Capture of Maduro
The American operation occurred in the early hours of January 3, 2026. The Cuban government reported the deaths of 32 members of its military and security forces serving in Venezuela, including those protecting Maduro. This information was also included in an official decree of national mourning released by Havana.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan military authorities reported at least 24 security personnel fatalities. The Associated Press documented a combined casualty count of at least 56 deaths among Venezuelan and Cuban forces. This figure represents the minimum initially acknowledged by both governments, not the final total of victims.
Independent Reports Reveal Higher Casualty Numbers
A subsequent journalistic investigation by Monitor de Víctimas and La Hora de Venezuela, published by Factchequeado, recorded 77 deaths: 42 Venezuelan soldiers, 32 Cubans, and three civilians. While not an official tally, this report extends the initial casualty figures.
U.S. sources did not report any American military deaths, though there were injuries. Trump did not clarify during the rally that his phrase "nobody died" was referring solely to American casualties.
Previously, on January 3, Trump had acknowledged the Cuban casualties during the operation. According to statements reported by CiberCuba, he noted that many Cuban personnel lost their lives during the mission.
In his Iowa address, Trump again portrayed the capture of Maduro as a swift military success and linked the intervention to the revenues that, according to him, the United States is gaining from Venezuelan oil.
Key Questions About the Venezuela Operation
What did Trump claim about the operation in Venezuela?
Trump claimed that the operation in Venezuela was a "one-day war" where "nobody died," a statement that contradicts reports of significant casualties.
How many casualties were reported by Cuban and Venezuelan authorities?
Cuban authorities reported 32 deaths, while Venezuelan authorities reported at least 24, totaling a minimum of 56 casualties.
Was there any acknowledgment of Cuban casualties by Trump?
Yes, Trump acknowledged the deaths of Cuban personnel during the operation in his statements on January 3.
What financial claims did Trump make regarding the operation?
Trump claimed that the U.S. had recouped "ten times the cost of the war" from Venezuela, a statement made without detailed evidence.